Colchester Zoo lowest admission price ever this winter!

In winter it's hard to get out of the house, so to encourage you we are bringing you this fantastic offer by Colchester Zoo, they are offering reduced admission prices this winter, the special rates are the lowest the zoo has charged since 2005!

You can now save a whopping 40% on the peak rate prices when you visit between the 14th November and 31st December. If you visit on any day during this period you will be charged just £9.99 per adult, just £6.50 per child (3-14) and only £7.99 for senior citizens (over 60).

The offers for Colchester Zoo don’t stop there! They are also offering you a fabulous breakfast offer which is available from 09.30am until 11.30am, enjoy an English breakfast at Cafe UmPhafa with 2 English breakfasts and 2 hot drinks for just £9.99.

These great offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offer or promotional voucher. Please note that admission prices on the following dates will be different to the winter rate due to the Magic of Christmas events, 26th, 27th November, 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th and 17th until 24th December 2011.

For more information on visit www.colchester-zoo.com

If you do visit let us know how the kids enjoyed it :)

Monica x

Baby & Children's Markets Taking Over the UK!

Leanne and Steve Taylor set up Baby & Children's in the UK after starting a family in Australia, they found pre-loved markets helped them save a fortune and snap up all the baby equipment, clothes and toys their family needed for less.

"We've got about 16 mums on the books at the moment, organising and running successful markets in their home towns." says Steve.

The concept is simple: each market features stalls of cut-price baby essentials. Mums can sell on pre-loved, pre-owned items their children have grown out of; small businesses and mumpreneurs can book a stall to sell their wares; and, best of all, mums can mix and mingle while they pick up a bargain.

"The customer base is endless as there are always new mums or new families moving into an area," says Steve "Our existing mums tell us the markets are really sociable events, where people can meet like-minded mums and get support and advice, while shopping for a bargain or clearing the clutter."

We all have to be more savvy with our savings nowadays and this new network of markets offers more than just a day out. You can simply come to shop; hire a stall to clear outgrown and preloved baby and children's equipment to raise cash.

Their latest addition is Essex, this area is being run by Monica Strydom, a very enthusiastic mumpreneur who already has other businesses on her belt, one of them a children's online retail store.

"I am very excited about bringing the Baby & Children's Market to Essex, specially in the current economic climate, our local parents need this! We plan to have these events very regularly." says Monica "Our first event is planned to be before Christmas to help parents get some extra cash for shopping in this pocket aching season, it will also help local small businesses."

If you are in Essex you can join Monica on the Baby and Children's Market - Essex page here.

Why spend a fortune on the high street when you can buy a bargain and make friends at a Baby And Children's Market?

For a full list of Baby and Children's Markets, check out their website www.babyandchildrensmarket.co.uk or their Facebook page www.facebook.com/BabyandChildrensMarketUK.

A Special Peppa Pig World Preview

Back in November we told you that Peppa Pig World was coming to the UK and opening on the 9th of April and now we have come to tell you that we have been to the preview of it on Saturday!!!

It's only because we are A list don't you know? ;) Ahem, *flicks hair* really, we were invited along with celebrities and the like so we could tell you all about it!

We are in Essex so it took about 3 hours to get there and pee pee breaks because of the kids. I got up at 5:30am to start making our lunch and get things ready, I was really excited as we haven't gone on a proper outing for a while, last time we went somewhere was Legoland before BooBoo was born.

When we eventually got everything ready including leaving food and water for our beasts of the canine kind, I finally managed to get out the door.
ROAD TRIP Woo hooo!!! Before you think it,yes, I did act like a mother the kids would be ashamed of  by putting my hand in "rock" sign and shouting that. If only they were older to actually complain how I was making a fool out of myself, really, even my husband looked at me funny and laughed! A girl's gotta have fun you know?!

Eventually we got there after a very long journey. When walked through a section in Paultons Park we saw some beautiful flamingos, pelicans and my favourite, a family of albino wallabies! Then just by the entrance to Peppa Pig World (part of Paultons Park) there is a wonderful painted wall which the kids loved and it got them even more excited!!

We went through a tent which was there specially for the preview day where we got our VIP passes with our names on which the kids were particularly proud of and we are going to keep them as keepsakes after all this was the preview of Peppa Pig World, the first in the world and this one is exclusive to Paultons Park in the UK!

This place really was heaven, I mean everything everywhere was Peppa Pig, I squealed with excitement and I am a grown woman never mind the kids! As we walked around the 'grass' and the dolls would speak to you, we heard Peppa laugh various times while walking around which was really fun, it added to the whole atmosphere. It wasn't just a park with a few rides... it was a real experience.

We went into Peppa Pig's House where we saw a life sized Peppa Pig and her family talking about pancakes. If you are a Peppa Pig fan you would have seen the episode where Daddy Pig flips the pancakes and they get stuck to the ceiling? That was it except you can see it in real life size, mega cool, the kids adored it!

We also went on George's Dinosaur Adventure, Daddy Pigs Car Ride, Grandpa Pig's Boat Ride and Peppa's Big Balloon Ride, the kids had tons of fun and we were super pleased because there was plenty of rides and stuff for BooBoo our 22 month old to do, so we were all winners!

We also had pictures taken at George's Dinosaur Adventure ride which we got one to keep from Pedro Pony's Ride Photos!

The kids loved George's Spaceship Play Zone but we all absolutely had a blast over at Mr Potato's Playground!! This was absolutely stunning, colourful and different things for all ages, we actually spent a lot of our time here and we had our lunch here too, there are picnic tables so you can have a chat and eat while the kids are playing around. The only down side to this I found was that there wasn't a gate on the actual playground... we were always with an eye on the kids but my little one wandered off to the exit of the playground a few times (we always got her just before she managed to leave though ;) ). Being a big fan of colours (as you can tell by My Funny Bunny!) I really loved the rainbow walkway, I would really love to have something like that done in my garden one day!

 Muddy Puddles is also in Mr Potato's Playground and it's a fab place where the kids can go with their swim suits and splash around! But fear not because if you forget the kids swimwear at home you can always buy some in Peppa's Toy Shop!

Peppa's Toy Shop is a mine field beware your pockets!! Not only will the kids go crazy but you will too... pitty I didn't have that much to spend this time because I would have bought half of the shop, I specially loved their limited edition prints of Peppa and her family, but seriously if you think it, they had it Peppa Pig!!

We had tea and cake at Daddy Pig's Big Tummy Cafe with the lovely Joanne, Sam and their families. It was a lovely sunny day so we really enjoyed sitting at the tables outside just next to the Peppa's Duck Pond which ironically has a sign saying 'Don't feed the ducks' but the ducks are plastic!! We found that hilarious and I am sure it's meant to be.  There are also tables inside where you can watch the kids play in George's Spaceship Play Zone while you have a rest and a chat over some yummy food.

After all that we went out of the Peppa Pig World area into Paultons Park, the day was almost over... but before we left we had to have a go in Wave Runner, which was a massive thrill!!! We had loads of fun and my normally scaredy cat son went on this an amazing 4 times! We couldn't believe it. I mean look at our faces! Definitely one for the thrill seekers.

At the Wave Runner while in the queue we spoke to a visitor and she said that their was plenty of rides for little ones so as we left the park (with a big car journey ahead of us), we saw at the entrance a big list of rides that BooBoo could actually go on at Paultons Park so now we are really excited about going to there again to explore the rest of the park!!

We had a fabulous and much needed family day out and it's all thanks to Paultons Park/ Peppa Pig World, it was worth the long car journeys, there and back!

Although I am not sure if they do birthday parties... I am looking forward to finding out as this is definitely a great venue to do it in!

Monica x

PS.To see more photo's of Peppa Pig World have a look here on the Peppa Pig World News.

Special Animal Tales At Colchester Zoo For National Story Telling Week

On Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th January, Colchester Zoo is running special animal tales stories in the Discovery Centre as part of National Story telling Week! So why not get out from in front of the TV and join us at Colchester Zoo's Discovery Centre for some fun and interactive storytelling, as we present a number of staff-penned, classic Animal 'tales!'

Tales in store for the weekend include 'King of the World,' an interactive tale for children to enjoy, with costumes to dress up in and exciting animal roles to act out! 'You're too small,' a unique tale about Zamba our youngest member of the white rhino family and the mischief he gets up to on his quest to find somebody to play with! Other tales also include 'The lonely giraffe,' left out of the action due to his long neck, the giraffe and animals soon have to learn to work together when danger approaches and the river bursts its banks, and 'The selfish crocodile' who soon needs to learn the error of his ways when struck with a terrible toothache and needs to ask for help, plus many more!

These stories will take place during the day inside the Discovery Centre over the weekend, with plenty of chances for families to catch some of these exciting tales. After, they will be able to head out into the park and spot some of the main characters in their enclosures throughout the zoo.

Special story telling sessions are also on offer throughout story telling week from the 29th January until the 6th February for School groups to book and enjoy.

National Storytelling Week began in the year 2000, with the aim to increase public awareness of the art, practice and value of oral storytelling. It is held during the first week of February every year.
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I saw this and thought our readers might be interested, we would love to go but I don't think we will be able to, will try my best though as my son would love it!!

Are you going with your kids?

Monica xx

Peppa Pig World is coming!

Visit Peppa Pig World's website to enter to win Golden Tickets!!

Paultons Park is always looking for more ways to help you and your family have a fun day out and 2011 will see the family theme park launch a very special attraction when it unveils Peppa Pig World. Exclusive to Paultons Park, Peppa Pig World is a magical kingdom that will bring your children’s favourite TV characters to life and is guaranteed to raise a smile.

Tickets to Peppa Pig World at Paultons Park is a cool Christmas present for your child and a treat for them to look forward to. A truly unique stocking filler and family day out to remember, this is a Christmas gift that will not be forgotten. Visit www.peppapigworld.com/christmas

With seven magical rides, fun animated attractions, indoor and outdoor play areas and even a Peppa-themed toy shop, Peppa Pig World will keep your little ones entertained for hours. Peppa Pig World will even be home to a Muddy Puddles water play area and Daddy Pig’s Big Tummy Café! The only difficulty will be getting them home without a grumble but Peppa Pig herself will be on hand to help.

Peppa Pig World will open its gates on 9th April 2011 but you can register to buy tickets online now from the Peppa Pig World website at www.peppapigworld.co.uk to ensure you don’t miss out. The website is packed with fun activities to entertain your child such as maps of the park and pictures of its rides to get your children really excited!

Why not logon and enter their golden ticket competition which will enable you to visit Peppa Pig World first, on Saturday 2nd April a week before it is open to the general public.

Paultons Park, the family theme park in Hampshire, has been entertaining families for over 25 years. With 60 plus rides and attractions, thrills and excitement are the order of the day and now with its special Peppa Pig World addition there is even more fun to be had!

Monica xx