FAMILY GO LIVE JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2019

THE ESSENTIAL DIRECTORY FOR ORGANISED PARENTS

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2019

ISSUE FREE

INSIDE

Baby Gadgets, Whats App Mummy, Meet The Head, Baby Sign Classes, +MUCH MORE!

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BI-MONTHLY | ISSUE 65 | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2019 | WWW.FAMILYGOLIVE.COM

This issue

Wasn’t it 2009 like a few years ago?? How can it be 2019 already!

The year’s skip by so quickly and life moves so fast that it’s important sometimes to just take some time to stop and take in the moment…to try and live in the now. So, our suggestion is park yourself up somewhere cosy, grab a cup of your favourite hot beverage and let yourself indulge in this issue of Family Go Live Magazine.

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We look at the realities of motherhood and how sometimes it can all feel a bit too much, everyone needs to be able to talk about their ‘not so good’ days too.

We have also provided a super simple stay at home mummy workout to help both the body and mind this year. We have a laugh about typical mummy WhatsApp Groups and cool kids’ gadgets that dads are sure to love.

RECOMMENDED READ

Mary Poppins! Yay!

As always, we have provided you with loads of the clubs and classes around Liverpool for your little ones over the coming months on top of our ‘What’s On’ section and handy diary pages for you to make note of all the important dates for your family.

We meet a real-life Fairy Dance Godmother and we look at baby sign classes and how implementing little routine’s like this can shape your child’s future.

P24

Director Lisa Sutton Call: 07506 741 502 Email: lisa@Familygolive.com

Editor Clare O’Doherty

Design SQ2 Design Ltd

Advertising Lisa Sutton, Tiffany Lew & Megan Dobie

Social Media and Website -

And in the spirit of taking some time Megan Dobie out for you, why not try the up and coming Lock and Key boutique hotel Join us! and restaurant on the iconic Duke Street, Liverpool. A spot of brunch @familygolive together could be just what you need to reconnect. We even have some super @Family Go Live Magazine cool alternative Valentine’s Day ideas for you and your other half! @familygolive

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4 – I GUESS THAT’S WHY I CALL IT THE BLUES – An open and honest look at the realities of motherhood.

5 – BABY GADGETS A dad’s dream! 6 of our top baby gadget picks for 2019 6 – WORKOUT LIKE A MUM Our Top Four Tips to getting a workout in when you have your little one attached to your hip.

7 – MUMMY WHATS APP GROUPS We’ve all been there, the all too familiar sound of another WhatsApp ping whilst you’re on the 3am nightfeed. A humorous look at the mummy convos.

9 – MEET THE HEAD A little Q & A with Runnymede St Edwards Head, Bradley Slater.

12 – THE DANCE FAIRY GODMOTHER The talented Sharon Collins McGee talks about her years as a dance teacher and her incredible Dance Production Company ‘Smile’.

13 – BABY SIGN CLASSES Find a variety of ways to teach your little one all the techniques they need to use sign as a means of communication.

22 & 23 – RESTAURANT REVIEW Read all about the newly opened and positively quirky Lock & Key Boutique Hotel & Restaurant on Liverpool’s iconic Duke Street.

26 & 27 – ACTION PACKED FAMILY ADVENTURE We have hand picked three different action packed holidays for you and yours.

28 & 29 – CHILDREN’S TEETH CLEANING & HAPPY TEETH Cool teeth cleaning gadgets to help your little one on board with oral hygiene and a chat with Katie Dullaghan, an oral health professional.

30 – TOP TRENDS FOR 2019 We have the Scoop!

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I guess that’s why they call it the blues…

Just a few days after giving birth, you may feel moody, weepy and irritable. This is called the baby blues. It’s probably the last thing you expected to feel after the joy and elation of having your beautiful baby.

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The baby blues are so common that they are considered to be normal.

As many as eight in ten mums experience some changes in their mood after giving birth. So, if this is something that has happened to you, please know that you are not alone and you are not ‘wrong’ for feeling this way. Feelings you may experience during the baby blues: • Worry about your baby’s health, even though he’s fine • anxiousness • unable to concentrate • tired, yet unable to sleep • tearful, without knowing why • wanting to be alone but also feeling lonely WHAT CAUSES THE BABY BLUES? They are thought to be linked to hormonal changes that happen during the week after giving birth. Your body has some major adjustments to make, which may include coming down from the adrenaline high that you felt when your baby was born.

Pregnancy hormones gradually leave your body just as you are producing breastmilk. Your appetite may change, though it’s not just physical changes that are happening to you. Your emotions are likely to be put through the wringer, too! (Us lucky women, eh?!) The new sense of responsibility that comes with having a baby can also be totally overwhelming.

You may be uncertain about how to care for your newborn baby and feel a huge anticlimax after the birth.

You are likely to be exhausted and chances are you will not be able to get a good night’s sleep or a decent nap during the day – sleeping only when baby sleeps, but a broken sleep pattern is a hard overlooked adjustment.

HOW LONG WILL THE BABY BLUES LAST? You may feel that being a mum will always be like this. But try not to worry, as things will get better, and quite quickly, too. The baby blues are not an illness, and usually last for just a few days. You’ll probably feel your worst between the third day and fifth day after your baby is born.

However, if you still feel like things are getting on top of you a month or so after having your baby, you may have postnatal depression (PND). If you think you might have PND, speak to your midwife, health visitor or doctor, who can offer you advice, support and treatment. Again, it is important to remember you are not alone in this feeling and in fact more and more new mums are being honest and open about their struggles with PND. HOW CAN I HELP SOMEONE WITH THE BABY BLUES TO FEEL BETTER? If you are a partner, relative or friend of a mum with the baby blues, reassure her that it’s normal to feel this way. She may be exhausted and unsure of herself. Try the following: • Help her to organise her time, and work out what needs doing now, and what can wait.

• Cook dinner for her or make some meals to put in the freezer which can be used at a later date.

• Encourage her to rest as much as possible.

• Tell her what a great mum she is.

• Keep visitors to a minimum.

• If she wants to cry, let her.

• Listen to her.

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BABY GADGETS

BABY STYLE

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3. IBABY CARE M7 VIDEO BABY MONITOR

Enough here to keep the dads happy for hours.

Checkout all the latest baby tech ...

iBaby Care M7 is the smartest Wi-Fi enabled iBaby Monitor created to suit the needs of all parents. With incredible features that promote child safety and early education, iBaby Care M7 is changing the way parents monitor their little ones featuring air quality sensor and feeding alerts.

Amazon - £189.99

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1. GRO CLOCK SLEEP TRAINER

4. BABYMOOV NUTRIBABY

The Gro-Clock teaches children when it’s time to sleep or get up using pictures of the moon and sun. It also comes with a beautifully illustrated book which helps to encourage children to stay in bed longer (Yay to all parents!)

During the night, the display screen shows stars disappearing one by one to show the passing time. It has adjustable screen brightness, a silent option, optional digital clock, alarm feature and a handy key-lock option.

John Lewis - £15.99

2. TOMMEE TIPPEE PERFECT PREP DAY & NIGHT In just two minutes, your little one’s bottle is fully prepared at the right temperature and volume. This clever gadget is sleep friendly with volume control allowing you to prepare the bottle silently whilst the home sleeps Mothercare - £109.99

Our fav: familygolive.com

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This award winning baby food processor for easy and fresh meals: The Babymoov Nutribaby is the complete package and is ideal for cooking fresh meals for your baby every day. Containing a baby food steamer and a blender, the Nutribaby is the only food processor that provides the 5 essential functions to feed your newborn: bottle warmer, steriliser, defroster, steamer and blender all in one!

UberKids - £74.99

5. PNEO BABY SHUSHER

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Tired of shushing your baby to sleep?

This baby gadget acts like a sound machine, and it provides 15 or 30 minutes of continuous shushing sounds, making it easy to follow Dr. Harvey Karp’s The Happiest Baby on the Block technique. It’s so easy to take on the go, which makes it perfect for longer road trips.

Amazon - £30.95

6 6. BT VIDEO BABY MONITOR The BT Baby Monitor 6000 is all you need to keep watch over your little one. It is packed with great features, allowing you to hear, see and talk to your baby while not in the room, 5 lullabies and temperature display John Lewis - £99.99

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Stay at home mum workout OUR TOP TIPS

s well as changes to your daily routine and sleep patterns, early motherhood also brings huge physical changes for new mums. The recovery period after labour differs greatly depending on each individual and in those first few weeks exercise could be the furthest thing from your mind.

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Nonetheless, a time may come when you wish to regain an active lifestyle to help with many things including energy levels, losing weight, improving circulation and your general mood and wellbeing.

You owe it to yourself and your family to stay as healthy as you can.

We look at ways you can incorporate exercise into life at home so as you don’t need to rely on a set time to get to the gym or commit to something as routine as set fitness classes. We know how sporadic and hectic those first few years as a new mother can be and the only time you may be able to squeeze in exercise is between breast feeding and that half shower half cup of tea!

In relation to breastfeeding remember that, as long as you remain hydrated, your breast milk supply will not be affected by working out – so keep drinking those bottles of water throughout the day!

TIP 1) GET DANCING! Whether it’s breaking out a bit of Spice Girls Greatest Hits or the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse every little one loves a good boogie with their mama! Hit the living room or kitchen floor along with your baby to get your heart rate up, burn some calories and maybe even have some fun, too. If you put aside 20 to 30 minutes and just dance with them, you’re going to be surprised at how many calories you burn as well as that close feeling of just you two and the whole world disappearing around you!

TIP 2) NAP TIME = PERFECT TIME! So here you have the opportunity for a totally undisturbed workout at home. Whilst your little one lulls into their lovely milk coma, get on that YouTube workout video, or go to your old favourite routine that you know inside out and you enjoy!

You can structure a whole workout based solely on your own bodyweight however if you want to, you can buy home weights, kettlebells and other

equipment for relatively reasonable prices (Just make sure these are out of the little one’s eye shot when the wake from slumber!)

TIP 3) LET THEM JOIN IN! Ok, so it won’t be the most ideal or perfectly put together workout but it is killing two birds with one stone. You could place a yoga mat underneath you and have your little one laid there looking up at you whilst you blow raspberries on her tummy, all the while practising your downward facing dog. Super cute and may make help your little one feel involved.

TIP 4) TAKE THE STAIRS… and then take them again! This may seem like a trivial one but as we all know mums at home constantly have something to do. From the never-ending washing piles, to the constant cleaning. Leaving little things that you know you could take up stairs in one trip and spread them out over 3 or 4 trips just for the extra calorie burn is a great way to get some exercise in without really letting your mind know you are ‘exercising’.

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Mummy WhatsApp groups...

OUR TOP SURVIVAL TIPS Ahh the familiar ping of a WhatsApp message can be a lifeline when you’re feeding your baby in the middle of the night. But when there are HUNDREDS of messages just to set up one coffee date, not so much. Here’s a tongue-in-cheek look at things mums in an instant message group chat might be familiar with …

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1. THERE’S ALWAYS SOMEONE IN THE GROUP WHO REALLY LOVES EMOJIS Which means messages filled with baby bottles, tired faces and wine glasses. And the occasional clinking beer glasses ... which you’re pretty sure she doesn’t know can mean something else…

2. SOMEONE WHO TYPES IN CAPS FOR EVERYTHING LIKE SHE IS SHOUTING Another shouty voice is not what you need when your baby has been screaming for what feels like hours.

3. YOU LOSE TRACK OF WHAT YOU’RE ALL TALKING ABOUT You’re sure the conversation started with trying to set up a group playdate. But 178 messages later – covering everything from a discussion on weaning to the latest Netflix series – you have no idea what’s going on.

4. YOU FEEL PARANOID WHEN NO ONE REPLIES TO YOUR QUESTION That moment when you ask if anyone fancies meeting up and WhatsApp goes silent. Cue paranoia about why no one is answering (‘Oh my god, they all hate me’).

Especially as you’ve discovered how to find out what time everyone in the group read your message. (Go to any of your WhatsApp chats, tap and hold on the message you sent then click on ‘info’. This shows what time everyone in the group read your message. Expect more paranoia now you know how to do this!) They don’t hate you – they’ve probably passed out from exhaustion.

6. YOU WANT TO LEAVE THE CONVERSATION BUT CAN’T, AS EVERYONE WILL KNOW When you’ve had enough at a party, it’s easy to slide out unnoticed.On WhatsApp, not so much. If you want to leave a group conversation, everyone knows thanks to the big ‘so and so left’ message. And unless you’re brave enough, it means endless messages until someone else leaves first..;or be prepared to make up a far-fetched lie about being allergic to WhatsApp.

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7. YOU HAVE ‘TWO BLUE TICKS’ ANXIETY There are times when you want to know what your mates are messaging, but you can’t be bothered to reply. So to avoid the two blue ticks giving you away and showing you’ve read the messages, you try and see as much of them as you can in the message preview. There is a genius way round this – when you receive a message, don’t open it. Instead, dismiss the notification from your phone’s home screen. Then put your phone on airplane mode, open the message and read. Voila, no blue ticks!

8. YOU KEEP GETTING ADDED TO GROUPS WITH PEOPLE YOU DON’T KNOW Which means social awkwardness over instant messenger as you read all their in-jokes and have no idea what they are talking about. Or who they are. Which kind of feels like being the odd one out at playgroup again, except worse… it’s in your own home.

9. YOU’LL BE INUNDATED WITH WHATSAPP IMAGES IN YOUR PHONE GALLERY Your phone’s picture gallery is sure to end up jammed with everything from pictures of your mates’ random meals and babies pulling funny faces, to Tom Hardy’s storytelling on CBeebies.Top tip: go into your settings to switch off the media auto download option. (But maybe keep the Tom Hardy pics).

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MEET THE HEAD

Bradley Slater, Head Teacher of Runnymede St Edward’s School

radley Slater, Head Teacher of Runnymede St Edward’s School was interviewed by Vinay & Zara Head Boy and Head Girl for Family Go Live.

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DO YOU ENJOY BEING THE HEAD OF RUNNYMEDE ST EDWARD’S? It’s the best job ever! I became a teacher and ultimately a Head teacher because I want to make a difference to children’s lives, and help them develop confidence and resilience, and also spirituality. Every single child has something special to offer; I love nurturing children’s unique qualities and bringing out the best in them.

It’s hard work but lots of fun. All the staff at Runnymede want the best for the children, and we are inspired by their successes – it’s why we come to school each day.

WHAT’S THE BEST BIT OF YOUR JOB? Definitely being with the children! I love to go into classrooms and chat with the children about their day, and about what they’re doing. I teach Prep 2 every Friday and it’s a lovely

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way to end the week. Eating lunch with the children is great too, because I get to see a different side of them and chat about all kinds of different things – I usually learn a lot! I love to talk to the children in assembly and get together to celebrate successes and achievements.

HAS BEING A HEAD TEACHER CHANGED YOU? It’s taught me to reflect on things that happen and learn from that. I don’t think that any of us ever stops learning, and I think it’s so important to take positive lessons from everything you do and experience. Being a Head Teacher has certainly made my life richer and opened my eyes to different perspectives.

WHAT MAKES RUNNYMEDE SPECIAL? We’re a real family community everybody knows everybody else and we have strong relationships with all our families. We look after each other!

Every child’s individual character

shines through; we support and encourage the children in a way that helps them reach their full potential.

We are lucky enough to have brilliant facilities like the swimming pool which means that the children get to swim every week, and specialist teachers for French, music and IT.

“Our children have as many experiences and opportunities as we can possibly offer, so they can discover who they are and what makes them tick. We instil our children with a genuine love of learning and they are super motivated – a great foundation to build on in secondary school.”

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Clubs & Classes: JANUARY / FEBRUARY

RESONATE MUSIC HUB Resonate Music Studios is a perfect opportunity to learn a new instrument, join a band, sing in a choir or play in an orchestra with other young musicians from across Liverpool. Resonate Hub, Liverpool, L5 5AF. 0151 330 5130 www.resonatehub.co.uk

Editors Choice!

WATERBABIES- BABY SWIMMING The world’s leading baby swimming company and most recommended to parents by other parents. Babies can start swimming lessons from birth.

Various pools across Liverpool 01925 243 643 www.waterbabies.co.uk

HOLISTIC HARMONIES- SINGING MAMAS CHOIR Come along and join a group of women who enjoy singing. Let go of any previous judgement you’ve had about your singing voice; everyone can sing! There is no focus on performing, no music notes to read, just singing by ear. £36 per 6 week term. Wednesdays 10 till 11.30am Baby Lounge Photography, Waterloo.

Fridays 10.30am till 12pm - Big You Little You, Aigburth Road. www.holistic-harmonies.com/

Sponsored by LIPA

BEAUTIFUL NEW BEGINNINGS ANTENATAL COURSE Running for 6 weeks and led by 6 different pregnancy experts our unique, modern course aims to support you through your pregnancy journey and beyond

Classes are held at West Derby Millennium Centre L12 5JP 07702 286 493 ​www.beautifulnewbeginnings.co.uk

STUDIO 76 ACADEMY PERFORMING ARTS CLASSES Professionally taught classes in many different dance genres, singing and drama for young performers aged from 3 years +. 76/78 West Derby Rd, Liverpool L6 9BY 0151 263 1116 www.studio76.org.uk/academy/

MUCKY MONKEYS MESSY PLAY Let your child express their creativity and get messy at one of Mucky Monkeys sessions in Liverpool.

Children can dive into the world of paint and make their own artwork to take home at the end of the day.

07921808763 www.facebook.com/ muckymonkeysmessyplay/

ALLCOACHING ALL coaching is a fun, energetic sporting class which has regular sessions for both children and parents. Keep an eye out for more sessions to come!

Alderfield Drive, Liverpool 07715997641 www.facebook.com/ ALLcoaching.al/

LOVE POTTERY STICKY FINGERS MOTHER’S DAY SESSION Love Pottery will be at the fabulous Sticky Fingers to create some keepsakes of your babie’s hand and footprints. Perfect for gifts and memories to keep forever.

Wednesday 27th February – Friday

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Clubs & Classes: J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y

1st March 10:00 – 12:00 With extra session on Thursday 13:00 – 15:00. Sticky Fingers, Lawrence Road, L15 3HA. 07407642170 www.facebook.com/ lovepotteryliverpool/

MATT FIDDES MARTIAL ARTS WIDNES Self defence, anti-bullying and Martial Arts classes for people of all ages from 3 years old and upwards.0800 035 4660 www.mattfiddescheshire.co.uk

DEAF ACTIVE - DISCOVERY CAMP Discovery Camp is a great way to keep your kids occupied after school while making new friends and having lots of fun in their free organised activities. J​ oseph Lappin Centre Mill Lane, Liverpool L13 5TE 07858 686 079 www.deafactive.org/schoolholidays

Editors Choice!

LIPA - PERFORMING ARTS CLASSES Performing arts school. Runs Saturday classes and holiday courses. Mount Street, Liverpool L1 9HF. 0151 330 3009 www.lipa.ac.uk

LFC FOUNDATION RESPECT 4 ALL Respect 4 All is the LFC Foundation’s flagship football programme designed for people with complex and additional needs. 0151 432 5689 www.foundation.liverpoolfc.com

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KOOKY CREATIVE WORKSHOPS Get hands on and create your own keepsake with Kooky Creative Workshops for children aged7+.

Sessions will take place at chosen locations throughout the year. www.facebook.com/ kookymadewithlove

BABY BOOK CLUB This eleven-week course is designed to help new parents to develop their reading skills and techniques while encouraging their babies to engage with different books. Each session includes discussion and sharing time, book recommendations and reviews, individual and group reading, and fun activities linked to the weekly core story. www.thebluecoat.org.uk/ content/baby-book-club

NIPPY NETBALLERS Netball coaching session Nippy Netballers run three sessions Teeny Tots 4-6yrs and Mini Netballers 7-9yrs Liverpool college L18 and St. Paul’s church, L10.

And also Nippy Netballers session f or yr 6+ at st Julie’s. www.nippynetballers.co.uk

BABY AND CHILD FIRST AID Tuesday 29 January Daisy First Aid @ Hug a Mug This class is suitable for anyone who cares for children. Parents, grandparents, babysitters, child minders, friends and family. The aim of the class is to give you the knowledge and confidence to respond to any emergency situation.

There are no tests or role play so please don’t be fearful. Children

under 12 months are welcome to attend with parents as the session is held in the sensory room. The session is 2 hours in length and is fully certificated.

To book a place visit www. bookwhen.com/widnesdaisyfirstaid Hugamug 28AD Gateacre Brow, Liverpool, Merseyside L25 3PB

LETS TALK WITH HANDS BABY SIGN CLASSES A great class to start to communicate with your child before they talk, takes away the frustration when your child wants something, and you can’t understand them. Also great for children who are non-verbal Monday afternoon in Aintree Tuesday morning in Formby Wednesday afternoon in Waterloo Thursday morning in Maghull Thursday afternoon in Moseley hill. www.facebook.com/ Letstalkwithhands/

HELLO PANDA Hello Panda, Mandarin school. The First Montessori Chinese language school in Liverpool & Wirral. . It is better to start young. The research has shown that children under 12 years old have an amazing capability to learn and absorb a new language and being bilingual can help a kid develop their brain in a new way contact Hello Panda for a Free Trial lesson! at: St. Edward’s College L12 1LF or cal: 0800 031 4383, or 07849 511 673, or email: zheng@ hellopandamandarinschool.co.uk www.hellopandamandarin.co.uk

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The Dance Fairy Godmother haron Collins-McGee, a very talented 46-year-old lady from Liverpool and owner of Smile Productions, has taken over 50 dance schools to perform in some of the most amazing destinations in the world! These events are increasing in popularity year by year as schools are hearing more about how young dancers and their families are having the time of their lives, participating in these performance trips of a lifetime! Which all include an incredible after show party!

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Sharon has worked with hundreds of Merseyside and UK based dance schools who have enjoyed and benefited from her events over the past 20 years! After making so many performance dreams a reality and continuing to do so, Sharon is now being nicknamed ‘The Dance Fairy Godmother’ of the UK.

NEW YORK NEW YORK! Get your jazz hands ready and start spreading the news! Smile Productions will be taking selected lucky young dancers to perform in New York City! Concrete jungle where dreams are made!

Dance schools across Merseyside could be performing right in the beating heart of the big apple - On one of the most historic theatres on Broadway!

VIVA LAS VEGAS BABY! Yes that’s right! Smile Productions are offering UK dance and performing arts groups the chance to perform on the famous Sax Theatre, Planet Hollywood, at the heart of the Nevada desert!

Labelled the entertainment capital of the world! This phenomenal experience will be one you and your school can fully embrace creating memories that will last a life time!

Sharon told Family Go Live Smile Productions aim is to provide an integrated platform for performing arts students, creating opportunities, experiences and memories that will last a lifetime! Performers can showcase their talents and gain valuable, reliable stage experience alongside fellow professionals at spectacular venues locally and internationally. All whilst appreciating and respecting the creativity of others, in an exciting and genuinely dedicated safe environment.

When schools take part in a Smile Productions Show or event you can be certain that they will do all they can to make it a pleasurable experience and a huge success for principals, parents and performers alike. As experienced showcase producers having had over 1000 schools and groups working with them so far you know you are in safe hands.

Upcoming events & venues 2019: FEBRUARY 16TH & 17TH Smile Liverpool festival of dance, singing, speech & drama - competition held at Broughton Hall High School West Derby MARCH 8TH 9TH & 10TH Move it convention at Excel London, stand 715 MARCH 17TH “Smile Together” show at the Liverpool Empire theatre - St Patricks day special MAY 29TH “Smile Las Vegas” showcase at the world-famous Sax theatre at Planet Hollywood on the Las Vegas Boulervard!

JULY 24TH “Smile New York” Broadway performance at the beautiful New York Town hall theatre!

AUGUST 10TH, 17TH AND 24TH “Smile Espanol” at Teatro Auditori, Salou, Spain!

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Lets talk with hands, amazing

Baby Sign Classes

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n these informative baby sign classes, toddlers and parents alike learn around 100 signs that they can use every day.

Here, you are taught to use signs, symbols and speech in a fun and relaxing environment which nurtures your little one’s development.

They use a variety of teaching techniques including stories and singing which are fun for both your child and you, the parent too. It can be frustrating for your little one to try and communicate with you when they cannot use their language, or their speech is not yet developed. This can take some of that prevention in the way of parent and baby communicating and become very useful in learning more about what it is your little one requires and in a fun and special way that will bring you both closer together.

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Classes can be found in Waterloo, Formby, Aintree and Maghull and new areas are coming soon! As places are limited, get in touch with Kelly if you feel you and your little one would benefit from something as wonderful as Baby Sign. Call Kelly on 07450687704 or email at letstalkwithhands@gmail.com www.letstalkwithhands.com

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Out & About: JANUARY

SPONSORED BY YELLOW SUB

THE SNOW QUEEN What? Here’s a freezin’ to be cheerful Regular writers Sarah A Nixon and Mark Chatterton unite with musical director Greg Last to bring the usual music and mayhem to this chilly tale. Our notorious dame Francis Tucker and master of mischief Adam Keast will bring audiences to their feet to dance, cheer and avoid a soaking. Unlike any other panto in the city, our multi-talented cast sing, dance, entertain and play music live on stage, making sure The Snow Queen is as cool as can be.

When? Runs until 19th January 2019 Where? Everyman Theatre, Hope Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 9BH www.everymanplayhouse.com THE ICE CREAM FARM – CHESHIRE What? Currently offering a huge 50% off ALL play passes! The Ice Cream Farm is a free to enter and park family friendly tourist attraction located in the heart of the Cheshire countryside.

Offering an amazing flavour of activity.

From ‘Strawberry Falls’ adventure golf, ‘Rocky Road’ mini Land Rover experience and ‘Honeycomb Canyon’, Europe’s Largest Sand and Water Play, to ‘Daisy’s Garden’, a free play experience with a difference that includes a snow-emitting, lifesize magical ice cream tree, there are activities available for the whole family, not to mention over 50 flavours of delicious ice cream!

When? 10am – 5pm Daily!

Where? The Ice Cream Farm, Newton Lane, Chester, CH3 9NE www.theicecreamfarm.co.uk SPECTACULUM What? Spectaculum’ running until early 2019 will bring out your inner child with classic carnival games such as Tin Can Alley, Hook-A-Duck, Passe Boule, Coconut Shy, Play Your Cards Right and Ring Toss, all under

a huge Big Top style marquee. The Big Top will have a visually stunning and immersive set design which we hope will bring back the nostalgia of fun and games at the carnival.

When? Until Feb 2019 5PM – 10.30PM Where? Parliament Street, Cains Brewery Village, Liverpool, Merseyside, L8 5XJ www.visitliverpool.com/whatson/spectaculum CRAFTY CALANDERS What? Get crafty and create a unique calendar for you and your loved one for the new year. Let your creative juices flow at the Walker Art Gallery When? 2ND – 6TH January 2019 Where? Walker Art Gallery, William Brown St, Liverpool L3 8EL www.list.co.uk/event/1160113crafty-calendars/ ALL HANDS ON DECK What? All Hands On Deck! Discover more about Liverpool’s maritime past as well as where some of our most famous phrases and sayings actually come from!

When? Sunday 6th January 2019 1-4pm Where? Merseyside Maritime Museum, Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool Waterfront L3 4AQ www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ maritime/events WEEKEND CRAFT & CREATE What? Come and Create with your little one in this nurturing environment where your little one’s imagination can run wild! With many craft workshops on throughout the day, your little one will be spoiled for choice!

When? 13th January 2019 1-4pm Where? Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight Village, Wirral, CH62 5EQ www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ ladylever

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Out & About: J A N U A R Y HEY DUGGEE! What? Hey Duggee! Animated Kids Show aimed at 2-5 Year Olds. Come and see your favourite animated Character and let yourself be mesmerised by the colours and sounds.

When? From 18th January 2019 Where? Europea Boulevard, Conway Park, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH41 4PE www.list.co.uk/event/531590hey-duggee/ PIZZA MAKING AT TATTON PARK What? Little Red Hen Makes A Pizza. Join in on the Farm for our interactive ‘Little Red Hen Makes A Pizza’ session, which teaches children the origin of ingredients for pizza from farm to fork.

When? Friday 25 January 2019 Where? Tatton Park. Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN www.events.tattonpark.org.uk/ tattonpark

Editors Choice!

AFRICAN MYTHS AND LEGENDS What? Discover amazing African folk tales and mythology and create your own beautiful artwork to take home When? Sunday 27th January 2019 1pm – 3pm Where? International Slavery Museum, Albert Dock, L3 4AQ www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ ism/

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PEACE PROMS What? Peace Proms is a FREE music education resource for Primary Schools which will culminate in a large-scale performance for choirs and orchestra at the Echo Arena, Liverpool on Saturday 26th of January. The programme promotes ‘peace through music’ and already engages almost 30,000 children from 500 schools throughout the UK, Northern Ireland and Ireland, giving them the opportunity to sing in a large-scale production with a choir of up to 4,000 and a full symphony youth orchestra.

When? 26th January 2019 Where? M&S Bank Arena Kings Dock St, Liverpool L3 4FP www.visitliverpool.com/whatson/peace-proms THE GREAT CHESTER ZOO BIRD WATCH What? Join the Zoo Ranger team as they find out which feathered friends are visiting the zoo and the nature reserve at this time of year. Learn how to bird watch, practice your bird identification skills and make bird feeders to put in your garden.

When? Saturday 26 January and Sunday 27 January Where? Wildlife Garden at 10.00am - 12.00pm, Chester Zoo, Chester, CH2 1LH www.chesterzoo.org LIVERPOOL THEATRE SCHOOLS MAGIC OF THE MUSEUMS What? Liverpool Theatre School is celebrating its 80th Anniversary with a trip down musical memory lane, featuring students past and present from both the College and Academy as well as the students from the recently acquired Studio 76 performing arts college.

Performances will include many of your musical favourites from stage and screen. Showcasing many elements of Musical Theatre and

luring the public into the magical world of Performing Arts. Magic of the Musicals will surely be a show to remember and will take you on an adventure that shall never be forgotten.

When? 27th January 2019 Where? The Auditorium Liverpool M&S Bank Arena, Kings Dock St, Liverpool L3 4FP www.mandsbankarena.com BOYZONE THANK YOU & GOODNIGHT FAREWELL TOUR 2019 What? After six UK #1 singles, five UK #1 albums and 25 years together, the iconic Boyzone will release their final album ‘Thank You & Goodnight’ on 16 November. They’ve also announced details of their 25th anniversary and farewell UK and Ireland arena tour which commences in January.

When? 27th January 2019 @ 7.30pm Where? M&S Bank Arena Kings Dock St, Liverpool L3 4FP www.mandsbankarena.com STRICTLY COME DANCING THE LIVE TOUR What? The Strictly Come Dancing UK Arena Tour is waltzing back to Liverpool on 29 January 2019 for two supersized sequin-filled shows - a matinée at 2:30 and a 7:30 evening show. Fans will be delighted to hear that Strictly favourite and 2017 TV show winner Ore Oduba will be hosting the tour for a second time.

When? 29th January 2019 from 6PM Where? M&S Bank Arena, Kings Dock St, Liverpool L3 4FP www.mandsbankarena.com

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January

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National bubble bath day

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National dress up your pet day

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National hugging day

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2nd – 6th January 2019 Crafty Calanders Walker Art Gallery

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Singing Mamas Choir Big You Little You, Aigburth Road Every Friday

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Hello Music Storyhouse, Chester

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Ravin’ Fit with Lee Butler Lifestyles Walton Park,

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24 Girl Power - The Spice Girls Experience St Helens Theatre Royal

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29 Jan 2019 Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour 2019 M&S Bank Arena

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Safer internet day

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The Alice Experience @ St Georges Hall

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Yellow Breck Road @ Royal Court

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Out & About: FEBRUARY

SPONSORED BY HOPE ST THEATRE

YELLOW BRECK ROAD What? Gerry Linford (The Miracle Of Great Homer Street) returns with a brand new comedy that is out of this world!

When? 1st February – 2nd March Where? Liverpool’s Royal Court, 1 Roe Street, Liverpool, L1 1HL www.royalcourtliverpool.co.uk DEAR ZOO What? The timeless children’s classic book returns to the stage in 2019!

Rod Campbell’s best-selling lift the flap book has delighted generations of young readers since it was first published in 1982 and has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide.

When? Thursday 7th February 2019, 1:30pm & 3:30pm & Friday 8th February 2019, 11:00am & 2:00pm Where? Floral Pavilion Theatre, Marine Promenade, New Brighton, CH45 2JS www.floralpavilion.com THE ALICE EXPERIENCE 2019 What? A 90-minute walk through production where St Georges Hall is transformed to create the magical, colourful and slightly mad world of Wonderland. Visitors enter a forest of giant mushrooms, meet weird and wonderful characters, join Alice on her adventures and experience Wonderland for themselves.

When? 9th – 23rd February 2019 An Autism Friendly performance is available on 18th February at 7:00pm.

A BSL signed performance is available on 18th February at 7:30pm Where? St George’s Hall, St George’s Plateau, Liverpool, L1 1JJ www.stgeorgeshallliverpool.co.uk SCIENCE FICTION CLASSICS What? A fantastic adventure through ‘Time And Relative Dimensions In Space’ as our very own Time Lord has close encounters with out-of-this-world favourites from large and small screens When? 10th February 2019 Where? Liverpool Philharmonic Hall www.liverpoolphil.com

NOW FESTIVAL: SEFTON 2019 What? Rise Up: Adverse Childhood Experience. Be prepared to laugh, cry and learn from the young people of Sefton as they share with you their performing & creative arts work, that is high quality and bursting with creativity!

When? Tuesday 12 February & Wednesday 13 February at 6pm Where? THE ATKINSON, Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1DB www.theatkinson.co.uk PIRATE AND PRINCESS TAKEOVER What? Ahoy! Visit Alton Towers Resort February Half Term for the most swashbucklin, takeover of them all! There’s tonnes of Pirate and Princess themed activities for all the family, exclusively available to Short Break guests. With so much to pack into a stay, the Alton Towers Resort is the ultimate escape this February Half Term for young pirates and princesses.

When? 15th – 23rd February 2019 Where? Alton Towers Resort, Farley Lane, Alton ST10 4DB www.altontowers.com

Editors Choice!

BILLY’S MUSICAL VOYAGE What? Take part in our fun filled story about a sailor called Billy who travels all over the world and discovers the many exciting musical instruments to be found in different countries! Suitable for young children and their families.

When? 16th February 2019 Where? Merseyside Maritime Museum, Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4AQ www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk

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Out & About: F E B R U A R Y SCARECROW FESTIVAL What? Visit the Scarecrow Festival in the Gardens. Over 30 scarecrows will be resident in the Gardens - will you find them all?

When? Saturday 16th to Sunday 24th February 2019 Where? Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN www.events.tattonpark.org.uk

including living history encampments, walks, talks, tours and of course, dramatic combat performances, there will be something for everyone at JORVIK Viking Festival.

When? 20th – 27th February 2019 Where? JORVIK Viking Centre, Coppergate, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 9WT www.jorvikvikingfestival.co.uk

KIDSFEST 2019 What? A Great Family Day Out This February Half Term take part, watch, see and learn in #kidsfest; a jam packed week-long celebration for families of all ages.

When? Monday 18 February 2019 Saturday 23 February 2019 Where? THE ATKINSON, Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1DB www.theatkinson.co.uk

THE DREAMBOYS What? The Dreamboys are back and hotter than ever with a brand new show. A breathtaking show spectacular has been perfectly created for hen nights, birthday parties and girls nights out with all your friends. With special guest appearances on some of the UK’s biggest TV shows. If you’re looking for the very best girls night out in the UK, look no further than these incredible hunks. An action packed 2-hour show from start to finish, these boys will literally have you begging for more.

Please note, this show is recommended for ages 18+.

When? 21st February 2019 Where? Liverpool Empire, Lime Street,Liverpool,L1 1JE www.atgtickets.com

CARAVAN, CAMPING & MOTORHOME SHOW 2019 What? Over 400 exhibitor stands all under one roof immerse yourself into the holiday park lifestyle at the holiday park experience, test yourself at the new-for-2019 Bear Grylls adventure, tents of all types, shapes and sizes, all pitched under one roof in the newfor-2019 camping zone, this is a great day out for all the family the event also has a climbing wall, dog show, glamping village, one-to-one towing sessions, skate rink & live campsite cookery. There is even a creche for youngsters aged three to eight on 24 and 25 February.

When? 19th – 24th February Where? The NEC, Birmingham www.ccmshow.co.uk 35TH JORVIK VIKING FESTIVAL What? Recognised as the largest event of its kind in Europe, the annual festival is a city-wide celebration of York’s rich Norse heritage. Visit York in February 2019 for a week-long celebration of all things Viking! With an exciting programme of events

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PROFESSOR BRIAN COX: UNIVERSAL What? having set two Guinness World Record titles with his previous sell-out live UK and Ireland tour, Professor Brian Cox, OBE is coming to Echo Arena with a brand new show for 2019.Taking audiences to the edge of our current understanding about the origin and evolution of our Solar System and the Universe, Professor Brian Cox Live2019 offers a fascinating insight into the workings of nature at the most fundamental level When? 21st February 2019 Where? M&S Bank Arena www.mandsbankarena.com

THE LITTLE MERMAID What? The classic tale of the little mermaid is brought to the stage in a brand new production by the internationally acclaimed Panto Company. It follows the dreams of a young girl who believes there is a better life for her out of the water.

Will she be prepared to give up everything? Is it really better out of the water? Who knows? But of course there’s a handsome prince, an evil baddie, a funny side kick and bucket loads of laughs along the way.

When? 22nd February 2019 Where? The Epstein Theatre, 85 Hanover Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 3DZ www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk

Editors Choice!

GYMFUSION What? Guaranteed to wow the audience, GymFusion encompasses the ethos of Gymnastics for All and gives participants the opportunity to display their skills and talents as a team in a fun, friendly and noncompetitive environment. Whether you’re keen to support your local club or team, see your friends or relatives perform or simply to enjoy the gymnastics… Get your tickets now to ensure you don’t miss out on the fun and variation GymFusion has to offer in 2019! Come and enjoy the party, gymnastics style!

When? 23rd -24th February 2019 Where? M&S Bank Arena www.mandsbankarena.com

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Lock & Key: iverpool’s Lock & Key bar is to open a 14-bedroom boutique hotel, bar and restaurant, after transforming an adjoining row of Georgian townhouses. The hotel is set in what was an abandoned Grade II listed 1517 Duke Street. The team aimed to convert the building whilst maintaining original features including the original Georgian shopfront windows. The interior is a mix of rustic with the new modern, from the stainless-steel bar to the illuminated ‘Lock and Key’ pink neon sign behind the bar itself.

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Many of the building’s period features have been restored and incorporated into the hotel’s interior design, including ceiling mouldings, marble fireplaces and beautiful Georgian shop-front windows.

The hotel owners Andrew Spencer, Tom Bower and Michael Connolly worked with local interior design firm House of Sloane to create what they described as “plush, playful spaces filled with bold patterns, jewel-like colours and sumptuous materials”.

Now open for business, the bar and kitchen aspect of the development offers guests a tranquil and cool atmosphere with stripped back, exposed brick walls complimented with contemporary furniture from the super cool Lea Sloane, House of Sloane.

This venue has an abundance of craft beers, cocktails and a sumptuous brunch menu not to mention the evening pizza parlour it offers! We were truly spoilt for choice in this wonderfully placed gem in the heart of Liverpool.

We were greeted by a lovely waitress who was most accommodating and seated us in a lovely table at the window where we had a great view of Christmas shoppers happed up in their Winter coats on their way to Liverpool One for a day of shopping/ drinking. Brunch in this idyllic little hideaway is from 9am – 4pm so it’s the perfect excuse to have breakfast at any time of the day!

We shared a few dishes between us (as we thought this way, we could get a taster of pretty much everything!) starting with ‘The Vegetarian’ and the ‘Maple Grilled Cheese Sandwich’. The vegetarian was incredibly moreish, the grilled halloumi which, if you are a halloumi lover, you will definitely appreciate it’s scrumptious taste. The asparagus spears accompanied the seasoned mushrooms and tomatoes perfectly and the poached eggs were truly special. Now, for the Maple Grilled Cheese Sandwich! This caught our eye on the menu immediately. The sandwich came with cheddar and buffalo mozzarella, red onion, maple syrup all on the most incredible granary bread and a cute little avocado and rocket side salad to accompany it – this dish is a recommendation for the ages.

You may have thought this would have been more than enough for two to enjoy, but you would be wrong!

How could we limit ourselves to only two dishes when there is the option of an American Pancake stack on the menu! We opted for the banana, blueberry, raspberry stack all topped with white chocolate sauce and maple syrup. (We were hungry!)

We accompanied our brunch menu with festive gingerbread lattes and a very berry yoghurt smoothie and a green giant smoothie which 22

Liverpool’s boutique hotel, bar and restaurant on Duke Street

were refreshing and fantastically flavoursome. The mix of so many tastes amidst this idyllic and iconic little venue was totally welcomed.

We did check out the cocktail menu they had on offer (although we didn’t indulge!) and the abundance of gin cocktails looked entirely decadent. This little spot is perfectly placed especially if you are in town for the evening and wanted to nip somewhere close by for a beer or a reasonably priced cocktail. They also

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have seasonal drinks of choice which on those colder days, would make for the perfect winter warmer! A must if you are in the city and even if you are not, the trip will be worth it! www.lockandkeyhotels.com 15-17 Duke Street Liverpool, L1 5AP 01519098766 enquiries@lockandkeyhotels.com

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MERCURE HOTELS

celebrates London’s much-loved magical nanny with exclusive film package ercure Hotels have announced an exclusive film package at it’s four-star Mercure London Hyde Park Hotel. Located just moments from the location of the first-ever moving picture, the quintessentially Victorian hotel pays homage to London’s film heritage throughout it’s décor. Guests will receive local cinema tickets, popcorn and a special guide to London locations inspired by the original 1964 film, made in partnership with Helen Blakeman, Screenwriter & Chair of the Children’s Committee at BAFTA.

Mercure Hotels have an exclusive package at its 4-star Mercure London Hyde Park Hotel to celebrate the property’s film heritage, as the new film about London’s celebrated magical nanny. Available to book now, the package will be available until the end of February 2019, and will include a guide to the London locations featured in the original 1964 film, tickets for a local independent cinema and ‘just a spoonful of sugar’ in the form of gourmet popcorn.

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Partnering with Screenwriter & Chair of the BAFTA Children’s Committee Helen Blakeman, Mercure London Hyde Park will also be creating a guide to London which will transport guests to key locations from the original film. Helen said “It is an absolute pleasure to revisit the cinematic scenes from the movie, whether it be gracing the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral as a prime spot to ‘feed the birds’, grabbing the chance to ‘fly your kite’ at Hyde Park and so much more...”

The Mercure London Hyde Park Hotel is a quintessentially Victorian townhouse in a peaceful, leafy square in West London. Throughout the impressive property, artwork references the heritage of Hyde Park as the location for the first-ever moving picture, filmed at Apsley Gate in 1889, with black-and-white film photos adorning the walls.

Completely redesigned in recent years, it boasts boutiquestyle rooms with high-ceilings, sumptuous wallpaper and indulgent amenities and furnishings. Guests also benefit from dining in the hotel’s London Brasserie Restaurant and making use of the fully-equipped fitness centre.

To book the package at Mercure London Hyde Park Hotel, please visit at: www.accorhotels.com The offer is available from 1st December 2018 – 28th February 2019 and pre-booking is essential.

The package starts at £255 per room including bed, breakfast, cinema vouchers, popcorn and a guide to the film’s hotspots.

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YOUR ALTERNATIVE VALENTINE’S DAY

any couples around the globe, although in love with each other, have fallen out of love with February 14th.

The annual love-by-numbers day has become something of a cliché, where we’re forced (or at least, strongly encouraged) to splash cash on gifts that really don’t reflect how we truly feel for our love.

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They say that variety is the spice of life; so, this year, why not boycott the restaurants, overpriced chocolates and shop-bought cards and put the money towards something meaningful?

You needn’t splurge to show affection; small, personal gestures are far more likely to leave a lasting impression on your other half.

Here are six alternative, low-cost ideas to get you started: DIY CARD/GIFT What could be cuter than a homemade card or a painting of your family to present to your V-Day date. Ok, so maybe you’re not the thriftiest with a glue stick and cutting shapes from red or pink paper but it’s the thought that counts! And if your sweetheart is totally appalled by the gesture, simply blame the children.

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COOK TOGETHER Instead of the typical Valentines culinary evening featuring overcrowded restaurants, a mile long queue for the ladies bathroom, steaks which arrive under cooked even though you explicitly asked for it cremated, the OTT waiter who seems seriously concerned that everything is ‘OK’ and that cringe worthy moment you sneak a glance at the ‘total price’ at the bottom of the bill (is it frowned upon to dine and run?) why not opt for making a three course meal with your loved one at home. Working together as sous and head chef…though there may be a possible power struggle for head chef position, though we all know who wears the trousers…or should we say chef’s hat!? Have fun sharing the cooking experience together without having to worry about tipping or being judged for that second bottle of Merlot!

ADRENALINE JUNKIES DO V-DAY Maybe you’re constantly seeking the high that only comes from stepping out of your comfort zone, daring to do something different and truly gets your blood pumping. Maybe chasing that rush isn’t something you’ve been able to do (those Peppa Pig Marathon’s aren’t as thrilling as your two-year-old makes them out to be!) Why not explore new heights and emotions together this year by throwing caution to the wind and create a date that’s something you’d never expect on a ‘Top

Ideas for Valentines Day’ List. Why not book in a Skydive or try your hand at Mountain Biking, Deep Sea Diving, White Water Rafting or Go Karting.

What a remarkable experience to share together and the stories from that day that will last a lifetime - fingers crossed the story doesn’t end up sounding like this though, ‘Hey darling, remember that Valentines Day you broke your leg?’

VALENTINES FAMILY DATE Hear us out! This would be a totally unique spin on the most romantic day of the year. Why not, instead of asking (bribing) a babysitter to watch your nearest and dearest, bring them on the date too! It could be a cute way to spend some quality family time together. Maybe find a fairground and share some candyfloss or take the crew for an idyllic walk on the beach with a picnic hamper - blankets, flasks of tea and fleeces at the ready of course! A wonderful way to not only show each other how much love you have for them, but your mini-you tribe too. Of course, you may immediately regret the decision of sharing this day with them when they start to moan of stomach aches and being cold.

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Action Packed Family Adventure ction Packed Family Adventures Families come in different shapes, sizes and budgets. Today’s family adventure travel market caters to all comers, offering anything from private lodges to cycling tours, skiing mini breaks or camping under the stars. You can take cookery classes, learn bush tracking or brave the kind of thrills and spills – dune buggies, abseiling and river tubing – that should rouse even the most reluctant teenager.

crossbow and high rope courses.

With 18 different locations across the UK to pick from, each site includes an on-site spa, yoga classes and beauty therapy treatments for when you need some downtime

And however wild the wilderness, a refreshing pool or beach is seldom far away. An adventure, embarked upon together, offers escape from the pressures and challenges of daily life; a moment to focus on the family.

To challenge not only yourselves but each other and really work together as a team or include a bit of friendly competition. The modern family holiday includes adventures and exhilaration and with an array of options for you to choose from. And the season for extraordinary travel – for family trips that will form lasting memories – is about to begin.

Whether you are a thrill seeker or searching for a relaxing break create your magical moments at Kielder.

Enjoy adrenaline fuelled mountain bike trails, leisurely strolls through the forest and a host of exciting activities before indulging in the gastro pub with breath-taking views across the lake. From Snorkelling and sea scooters to Segway’s, not to mention hover ball, archery, crazy carts, body zorbs and panna soccer, there is something here to suit every personality type. The on-site pub serving locally sourced menus is a great place to relax after spending the day in the great outdoors walking, cycling or discovering the artworks and wildlife around the park.

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On a Budget: HOESEASONS UK

With an array of different activity options to choose from at your local Hoeseasons you can pick from a plethora of exciting activities such as snorkelling, fencing, horse-riding,

Where? Landal Kielder Water and Forest Park, Northumberland Landal Kielder Waterside is part of the Go Active Breaks Collection. This award-winning destination gives you the opportunity to run, cycle or walk around the stunning shoreline of the largest man-made lake in northern Europe and the opportunity to relax under the darkest skies in England.

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Price? Prices start at around £259 for four days for the family and with many available self-catering options you really can make of it what you want.

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3. IN GH AM S SK I

2. ACTIV E TEEN CROATIA

Spend more: 2. ACTIVE TEEN CROATIA

Exploring some of Croatia’s hidden secrets on foot and on the water, this family activity holiday allows you to see the attractions from a different angle. This is the perfect family holiday for parents and teenagers alike. This wonderful active holiday in Croatia boasts an array of activities such as swimming in natural pools, rafting down the Centina River, see the church at the Lady of the Cliff, explore the beautiful island beaches as well as being able to kayak to the Blue Lagoon and enjoy delightful coastal views.

Where? From the east side of Ciovo, explore places that only locals know about. On the Cetina River, you will take part in exhilarating rafting as a family, maybe even throwing in a bit of friendly competition. Having

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explored the Riviera by bike, you’ll head out canyoning in Zadvarje to explore subterranean tunnels, admire the flowing waterfalls and swim in natural pools. There is also time to explore and relax independently with many UNESCO World Heritage sites in proximity. Accommodation on this tour is self-catering apartments, located in the village of Seget Donji.

Price? Prices start at £899 p/ adult and £859 p/child, a little more expensive but with enough activities to warrant the price.

Feeling Flush: 3. INGHAMS SKI HOLIDAYS

How you choose to organize your holiday will depend on the age of your children; with non-skiing crèches, first class ski kindergartens and dedicated children’s ski schools, your little ones can be on skis from 3 years up, or in safe hands having fun while you are on the slopes, Inghams definitely have you covered. They are able to offer hundreds of free child places combining great value savings on children’s lift passes, ski-school and equipment-hire.

To make this an even more attractive holiday they even offer free child places for children aged 2 to 5 are available on Inghams charter flights and committed schedule flights to Europe to all Inghams Chalets, Xtra Chalets and Chalet Hotels and their selected range of ‘Family Choice’ hotels.

Where? The Delta Whistler Village Suites is conveniently located in the heart of Whistler Village, Canada.

The hotel has a fresh new look after renovation during last couple of years aimed at today’s highly design conscious travellers, who want to live, work and connect on their own terms. The hotel has both indoor and outdoor pools and Jacuzzis – and that’s before you have even begun to look at the ski activities!

Price? Prices start at around £1196 p/person which yes might seem a little extreme but for an actionpacked ski holiday that the whole family can enjoy in this beautiful backdrop.

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Children’s Teeth Cleaning & Care ...

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rom brushing their first tooth to their first trip to the dentist, it’s important to take care of your children’s teeth. A regular teeth-cleaning routine is essential for good dental health and will save your little one from much uncomfortable teeth and gum problems in years to come.

The NHS have provided the following basic tips to keep your kids teeth decay-free:

2. PHILIPS HX6322/04 SONICARE FOR KIDS BLUETOOTH CONNECTED ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH Keep your children engaged as they learn to brush their teeth with the Philips Sonicare Easyclean For Kids Electric Toothbrush. This bluetooth enabled brush connects to a fun app that helps kids to brush better and for longer, helping them to learn techniques that will last them a lifetime!

John Lewis - £50

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Children aged up to 3 years • S tart brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as the first milk tooth breaks through (usually at around 6 months, but it can be earlier or later).

• Parents or carers should brush or supervise toothbrushing.

• Brush teeth twice daily for about 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste.

• Brush last thing at night before bed and on 1 other occasion.

• Use children’s fluoride toothpaste containing no less than 1,000ppm of fluoride or family toothpaste containing between 1,350ppm and 1,500ppm fluoride.

• Use only a smear of toothpaste.

• Make sure children don’t eat or lick toothpaste from the tube.

Here are some ways to make teeth cleaning more fun for your little ones: 1. ORAL-B KIDS JUNIOR PURPLE ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH FOR AGE 6+ This super cool rechargeable electric kids toothbrush features extra-soft bristles that are clinically

proven to be gentle on their teeth and gums, whilst removing more plaque than a manual toothbrush. The built-in brushing timer teaches kids to brush the Dentist-recommended 2 minutes, alerting them every 30 seconds to change to a different area of their mouth – making it like a little game!

Argos - £24.99

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3. TOOTHBRUSH TIMER CAT This wooden yellow cat Toothbrush Timer will help your little one to learn about the importance of healthy teeth and a thorough brushing routine, making cleaning teeth fun! Teach your little ones all about the three minute rule.

Tigerparrot.com - £5.99 4. LISTERINE SMARTRINSE MILD MINT/MILD BERRY KIDS MOUTHWASH 6+ YEARS 500ML No matter how hard your kids try to brush, there will always be germs left behind. That is why LISTERINE has introduced LISTERINE Smart Rinse, designed to tackle those hard to get bits to help with your kids oral hygiene!

Sainsburys - £2.50

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5. BRUSHIES Get them brushing their teeth without the tears with these cool finger puppet toothbrushes. They’re great for distraction and making toothbrushing fun! With an array of fun colourful animal puppets to chose from. Suitable from 4 months to 4 years.

Kidly.co.uk - £7

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Happier Teeth with Happy Teeth he UK’s children’s teeth are in crisis! In the last 5 years a staggering 332 children under the age of 10 have had their entire full set of teeth removed under general anaesthetic. The number of children requiring multiple tooth extractions is soaring. It costs the NHS millions of pounds every year and is on the increase.

The course will explore concepts and ideas proven to reduce dental decay, improve oral health and eradicate pain and suffering which is happening unnecessarily among children.

Tooth decay causes unnecessary pain and suffering and a whole host of further oral health problems as well as absence from school.

The thing to remember here is that tooth decay is 100% preventable and our little one’s do not need to go through the pointless grief. And so Happy Teeth Education Day for teachers have decided that it’s time for investment in our children’s oral health!

• Discover how to build a Happy Teeth culture and community that cares about teeth.

• Learn how to encourage engagement and inspiration to improve oral health • Explore how to reduce the national epidemic, targeting key areas lacking in education • Understand how to use preventative methods in delivering whole class education, incorporating resources and educational aids.

• Sharpen teaching to surround the main key messages which can be incorporated in to a way of life.

• Discuss the impact of parent involvement, how to engage parents in incorporating Happy Teeth at home.

• Recognise how oral health education will enhance health, strengthen understanding of the importance of oral health in relation to general health.

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Their aim is to make little teeth happy and they are offering a one day course with Katie Dullaghan.

During this one day course Katie will explore how to create an effective whole school oral health prevention programme for infant and primary schools. Katie will provide guidance on how to foster preventative methods, focusing on methods of delivering key oral health messages to adults and children alike.

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It will enable school staff to deliver effective oral health education to pupils, encouraging understanding of the key messages to inspire much needed change to oral health.

The course objectives are as follows;

Who is the course for?

• Teaching Assistants • HTLA’s • NQT’s • Early Years, Key Stage 1 and 2 teachers • PSHE leaders • Senior Leaders • Head Teachers/Principals ABOUT KATIE DULLAGHAN Katie Dullaghan has worked in oral health prevention and education for 13 years. She aims to enable wider spread education to inspire change on a full-scale level. Katie’s mission is to reduce hospital admissions and dental pain among children across the UK. Katie’s presentation style, and passion, combined with her in depth knowledge of oral health ignites enthusiasm in teachers and pupils alike.

Courses will be running up and down the country in 2019 starting with the launch on 28th February at Formby Hall, Formby.

Courses can be booked at www.happyteetheducation.com For more information, email: info@happyteetheducation.com

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SCOOP Top Trends for 2019

STATEMENT TRAINERS Balenciaga’s Triple S sneakers sent the fashion crowd spiralling, trying to get their hands on a pair of chunky kicks with a hefty price tag however you can find a more purse happy pair from the likes of Nike or ASOS. www.farfetch.com / £134

BIKER SHORTS If you followed the Spring 2019 runways closely, you couldn’t escape bike shorts, which cropped up everywhere from Maryam Nassir Zadeh to Fendi. And the folks on Pinterest are intrigued: Searches for “biker shorts” have increased recently. www.urbanoutfitters.com / £20

WRAP DRESSES & ROBE COATS In 2019 you can expect to see a lot more of both the iconic wrap dress look along with the robe coat, inspired from the likes of Versace. Pinterest reports that searches for “robe silhouettes” are up 689 percent. www.zara.com / £40

MUST HAVE

SNAKE PRINTS You’ve likely already accepted snakeskin prints into your life as an alternative to classic leopard. Pinterest predicts the trend will have legs in 2019 too, with searches for “snake print” up 642 percent inspired from the infamous Gucci Runways. www.shop.mango.com / £79

OVAL SUNGLASSES If you’re in the market for new eyewear, consider the top trending silhouette is the “oval sunglasses,” for 2019. These should not just be restricted to summer as many of these statement glasses can be paired with outfits year-round. www.matchesfashion.com / £265

AFRICAN PRINT PANTS 2019 See’s a new twist on the African Print Design, incorporating the sporty with the traditional. Spot this look in all the major high street stores and a firm favourite with Stella McCartney. www.net-a-porter.com / £363

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Join us

In Liverpool

Thursday’s 9:30am, 11:30am & 6pm.

Saturday morning 8am & 10am.

Slimming World’s Food Optimising plan is a healthy, flexible approach, based on everyday foods, to help people lose weight without ever going hungry. It’s a practical, family-friendly plan that fits easily into everyday life and doesn’t require complex weighing and measuring or obsessive calorie counting.

At the heart of Slimming World are our warm, friendly and motivating weekly groups, designed to empower slimmers to make changes for life. Our groups are where the magic happens - a place to share ideas, inspire and be inspired, make friends, and discover new, healthy lifestyle grooves.

The Consultants who run our groups have all been successful members themselves, and they are trained in nutrition and behaviour-change techniques at the Slimming World Academy.

Millions of people in the UK and Ireland have attended Slimming World’s community-based groups, and increasing numbers of people are logging on to Slimming World’s digital weight loss programme, Slimming World Online.

Roby Hub Community Centre Merton Crescent, L364LD Contact Jo Jennings on 07758 231 813 for further information

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A Beautiful New Beginning Happy New Year! If you’re expecting a little one this year then it’ll be an even happier new year for you, and likely a little daunting too? That’s where we come in. At Beautiful New Beginnings we aim to empower and support all parents with a range of classes and courses. Our antenatal course lasts 5 weeks and covers a range of topics led by a range of practicing experts in their field. Our unique antenatal courses offer over 6 hours of pregnancy related information and guidance from experts on bringing your baby home too. We believe that education is key to removing the fear and worry from birth, labor and early parenthood and small group classes and continued post course support really helps settle nerves, anxiety and worry around life with a newborn.

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Classes are run by midwives, health visitors, personal trainer qualified in antenatal and postnatal fitness, hypnobirther and relaxation expert and baby and children’s first aider too. We aim for you to leave our course excited and prepared for the birth of your little one, having had the chance to make informed decisions about your birth, labor and parenting.

Our inclusive classes are open to everyone and we’ve had a range of birthing partners attend our courses.

In the words of one dad to be, ‘it’s lovely to have a safe space to discuss your worries and your excitements with other parents to be and take the time out to plan for the arrival of your little one each week.’

As a business, we aim to support parents throughout their parenting journey. Our classes, all run by fully qualified Early Years Teachers aim to aid baby and child development

in a supportive, fun and welcoming environment. Whilst we can’t promise to hand you a perfect parenting manual, we can help you to learn skills that will benefit both you and your little one at each stage of their development. Our one to one baby Massage sessions provide a key way for bonding, relaxation and calming and soothing your little one. A skill that lasts a lifetime, massage has many benefits for both mother and baby. Our unique approach to offering baby massage sessions by providing them in the comfort of your own home means you can fully relax and get comfortable with your little on in your own surroundings.

Our stay and play classes run every Thursday in Rainhill and every Friday in West Derby. Classes are run on a drop in basis and as well as a friendly welcome and tea and toast, we also offer craft and singing sessions which support children and babies at all stages of their development. As a further way of supporting children, we also offer starting school courses and homework club. Our mission, to support and empower every parent at each stage of their parenting journey becoming the most knowledgeable baby, child and parent support service in the North West; continues through these services. We help to

bridge the gap between parents and school by providing parents with the skills they need to help teach their children key reading, writing and maths skills in a fun and engaging way. During our homework support classes we work with all primary school children in small groups to help them to gain confidence and skills in areas they may be lacking.

Run by two fully qualified teachers and a level three classroom assistant our classes also support parents with modern methods of teaching so that they can help support children at home too.

We look forward to welcoming you into one of our classes or courses soon.

For more information on classes and course dates please visit our website www.beautifulnewbeginnings.co.uk 32

COMPETITION

WIN A BABY OR CHILDREN’S MINI PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION WITH EDEN

WIN

PHOTOGRAPHY! Situated in the Mossley Hill Area of South Liverpool, the session will take around 20 minutes. After photographs are edited you will receive 3 digital files with print rights, which you can select from your very own private online gallery.

Specialising in capturing beautiful and artistic baby and children’s photography in Liverpool and the surrounding area. Eden’s style is simple and respectful. Their key to success is a lot of patience newbornphotographyliverpool.com and caring attention.

T O E N T E R , S I M P LY L I K E A N D S H A R E T H E C O M P E T I T I O N W H E N Y O U V I S I T F A M I LY G O L I V E ’ S F A C E B O O K O R T W I T T E R A C C O U N T S : F A C E B O O K . C O M / F A M I LY G O L I V E T W I T T E R . C O M / F A M I LY G O L I V E

For full terms & conditions and closing dates visit familygolive.com

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