Record Breakers

Record Breakers

We had a great time at the weekend as we were lucky enough to win a family ticket from FunKids Radio for the Barclaycard British Summer Time Event at Hyde Park on Sunday.

We got up bright and early and headed down to London arriving shortly after the gates had opened, once we had collected the tickets we had a wander around looking at everything that was going on and planning our day. Despite the pouring rain there was still lots to do and thousands of people there.

I wanted to watch Brainiac Live so we all went there but before the show had even got started properly there was a loud explosion which frightened Lottie, she hung on for a few more minutes but then they said if you don't like loud bangs it wasn't the show for you so she decided it was best to leave (with her hands firmly over her ears!) Her, Mum and baby Sam went off and left me and Dad to the science. It was amazing- they did load of different experiments and blew lots of things up, including balloons with different gases in. They also tried to see how many times they could spin round in a chair in 15 seconds. The first time they did it normally, the second time with a fire extinguisher and the third time with a fire extinguisher and a jet pack- it was really cool! You can see it at this link-

https://youtu.be/jABi_lSR9GI

We then went to meet up with the others and found them at the main stage. We were just in time to join in with the record breaking attempt- they were going to see if they could have the most amount of people singing live on a radio broadcast so thousands of people joined in singing 'Let It Go' and it was broadcast on FunKids. It was very official as there was a representative from The Guiness Book of Records and lots of people checking it was being done properly, we then just had to wait to see if we had actually broken the record.

Next on was Justin Fletcher who Lottie really wanted to see as she loves Mr Tumble and is learning BSL. I thought he might be just for younger children but he was really funny. He did some signing, loads of songs and actions and also managed to get covered custard pies. 

By now the sun had come out and it had become a lovely day. Next on was Peppa and George for Lottie so she went with Dad to hear a story and we went on the hunt for some treats to eat, on the way back we saw the thing I had been waiting for coming out... Titan the Robot. I have already seen him twice but he is amazing- it is a huge robot guided by some kind of sensors and he sings, talks, moves, cries and loads more. I was really glad we managed to see him again. I would love to have a robot like that. I might draw a picture of my own dream robot and put it on here soon!

We spent some time doing other activities and having some rides on the fairground and then it was time to go home. There were going to be some concerts in the evening but we knew it would take two hours to get home and I had to be at school in the morning so we couldn't stay to watch them. Maybe next time...

We had a really great day though and would definitely like to go again next year. Oh and this morning before school we tuned in to FunKids to hear the crowd singing Let It Go and found out the attempt had broken the record. We think it is quite cool to be part of the record breakers! 

The Parent Agency Review and Giveaway

The Parent Agency by David Baddiel

A Review and a Competition

Poor Barry... Boring parents, annoying goody two-shoes twin sisters, not being allowed to play video games and being called Barry- just a few things from Barry's list of complaints about his family.

Imagine if you could choose your own Mum and Dad though- what type would you choose? Rich, famous, fit, cool or something completely different? 

When Barry arrives at The Parent Agency he discovers he is able to choose any of the parents on their list and to top it off he can have the birthday party he has always dreamed of. What could possibly go wrong?

 

This book is very funny and has a bit of a twist. I liked the way the children's world was a copy of ours but different- the Parent Agency is based in Youngdon which has landmarks like the Shard Skelter, Marbles Arch and the Play-houses of Parliment. Some of the characters are really hilarious and lots are very strange. I like the way the story flowed from one set of parents to the next.

This was a great book for children age 7-12, I read it in no time at all and didn't really want to put it down- you will definitely want to know what Barry decides in the end. The chapters were a good length (not too short but not so long that you get bored!) and whilst this is very much a proper book I didn't find it difficult to read by myself. Although I did also enjoyed listening to a few of the chapters read by my Mum to me- mainly because it was funny to hear her say 'Bum, bum, bum' when Barry has found out he can be as rude as he likes with his cool parents!

I think David Baddiel has done a great job with The Parent Agency, which is his first children's book. I can't wait to see what his next book is like.

If you like the sound of The Parent Agency why not try to win yourself a copy in our competition, or if you can't wait to read it you can buy it here-  http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Parent-Agency-David-Baddiel/dp/0007554508

David Baddiel seems to have lots of other ideas for great parents, watch him here  http://youtu.be/sUMyICBQ7uc and let us know what type you would like best? I love the idea of parents who can fly!


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Party Planning

Party Planning

Birthdays are big things in our house. My Dad says it is because my Mum's birthday is near Christmas so she always makes a fuss when it is ours as she always felt lots of people forgot hers when she was little.

My 2nd birthday cake- Bob the Builder on the building site

It's not long until my sister has her 4th birthday and they are planning what to do for her party. I tried to help but my sister wasn't too keen on my ideas of a Nerf party or a football party and seems adamant it needs to be a Frozen party so I have gone back to planning my own birthday. Sadly even my Mum thinks more than 6 months before the birthday is too soon to plan the party. I don't agree as they have said this year I am going to do something smaller but special like going out with just a couple of friends so I really need to think carefully about what I would like to do.

In the past we have had parties at the village hall (age 1,2 and 4), hired out soft play centres (ages 3 and 5) visited the 'race room' for simulated driving and done the climbing wall (age 6) and been to Spy missions (age 7) so I know I have been really, really lucky but I can't help wishing I could have just one more proper party- there are so many things I would still like to do like the football party or the nerf party but perhaps it is now time to enjoy the party my little sister will have and perhaps one day, my baby brother's birthday parties- at least he might go for the football idea! Mum and Dad will still find a way to make my birthday special and I do have a little bit of time to decide who I want to spend the time with which is the most important thing.

Mastering the climbing wall at my 6th birthday party

In the meanwhile I will perhaps help with planning Lottie's 4th birthday party- they have decided a Frozen theme with a disco and lots of traditional party games. We have thought of pass the parcel, musical bumps, musical statues, sleeping lions, pass the balloon, limbo and an air guitar competition so far but Mum is worried that if some children don't like dancing they might be bored... do you have any great ideas for discos or traditional party games you like to play? 

We would love to know about the best birthday celebrations you have had for yourself or been invited to for somebody else.

My 4th Birthday cake- this one wasn't homemade!