Pantomime season is well underway and on behalf of MooBaaKids, Kathy Grillo took a trip down memory lane to the Alhambra panto in Bradford and liked what she saw.

MooBaaKids users can ring up for tickets to Robin Hood- The Pantomime Adventure NOW and simply quote MOOBAA OFFER to secure the following fantastic discount: Best seats (stalls & dress circle) £15, that's a saving of up to £9.50 on these dates / performances: Tues 10 Jan - 6.15pm; Tues 17 Jan - 6.15pm.
The offer is on a first come first served basis and therefore subject to availability and booking fees.


Robin Hood – The Pantomime Adventure at the Alhambra Theatre, review by Kathy Grillo.


Little and Large in 1981 with a guest appearance from Norman Collier (does anyone else remember his broken microphone act?) and a memorable rendition of the rather annoying ‘Shaddup You Face’. That was my last visit to an Alhambra pantomime.


So with slightly jaded memories of the concept I needed convincing, even though many have sung the praises of stalwart comedian Billy Pearce’s regular appearances in the annual show.


But I needn’t have worried – myself and my six-year-old daughter were completely blown away by the spectacle.


From the moment the lights go down the show grabs the audience by the lapels and takes it on a journey of magic, adventure, belly laughs and camp musical numbers.


Pearce, despite being at least 20 years older than many of the cast bounces through from beginning to end with the energy of a schoolboy and a rapport with the audience very few could achieve. From the moment he lands on stage, dangling from the ceiling, he is welcomed by many like an old friend.


Hilary O’Neil as the Sorceress, another panto regular, effortlessly lurches from impersonations including Stacey Solomon and Joe Pasquale to belting out big songs.


The villain of the piece, the Sheriff, played by Jay Worthy was brilliantly camped up and over-acted. And Andrew Ryan’s outrageous Nurse Nelly competes with Pearce for laughs with his/her increasingly eye-popping costume changes, such as a crazy striptease which became a washing line and turns as both Susan Boyle and Anne Robinson.


The laughs came thick and fast with topical jokes (“I’m taking her to a deep, dark place. No, not Skipton!”) and slapstick like Jamie Capewell’s vainpreening, Will Scarlett wooing Maid Marion (Emma Cannon) with a cheesy version of Bryan Adams’ ‘Everything I Do’ with Pearce trying to pull him off the wall he is sitting on.


The wonders of modern panto technology are also on display with a beautiful ‘waterfall’ which spells out words and a flying dragon.


We left the theatre as pantomime converts, chatting about it all the way home. But for younger children, an earlier performance is a must, as the show is nearly three hours long, with a 15-20 minute interval for frantic toilet trips.


Runs until 5 Feb – www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

New (MooBaa) Kids on the block!

We know lots of people who hear about MooBaaKids for the first time have discovered us because they’re expecting a baby. As this is being typed, our 6 day old baby is (for the time being!) snoozing peacefully. So our thoughts have been focussed on giving birth and the early days with a newborn for quite a while now!


If you or a friend is expecting this year or next then please introduce them to MooBaaKids for useful information on our pregnancy and birth pages as well as classes and groups to join once they’re in the swing of it all!



One of the services on our page really piqued our interest – those of the doulas we list. Not knowing much about them and having never used one ourselves, we spoke to one local doula about her work and also got some great tips to share with you for both the birth and the first days and weeks at home.


Lisa Sykes, mother of Emily, Hebe and Sid, has worked as a doula for the past year – including with families from Skipton and the surrounding area. Pronounced ‘doola’, the word means caregiver in Greek and is the name given to a woman who gives emotional and practical support before, during or after childbirth.


Lisa said: “Giving birth can be the most wonderful experience and I see my role as a doula to prepare, inform and empower women and couples so that they can have a very positive experience and really relax and enjoy it.
“Like a lot of doulas, I came to the work after the births of my own children. My first was a very difficult birth and I realised I needed to come to the next ones better informed about my body and the birthing process.
“I realised that giving birth is not a one size fits all experience and worked out what I wanted as an individual and listened to myself much more. I had the most amazing experiences with my next two births and realised I wanted to support other people in reaching the same thing so decided to train as a doula.”


Doulas also offer post-natal care working flexible hours to suit the family, offering practical and emotional support to the new parents in the home following the birth. There is no formal training path as such but Lisa undertook an accredited course and is listed with the professional body, Doula UK – one of around 600 so listed in the UK.
Lisa added: “We work with women or the whole family at any stage they might contact us be it well in advance or a matter of weeks before their birth. We are not there in a clinical capacity but to offer research-based information along with our own experiences and give practical support to enable people to make their own informed choices. We hope to empower families so they can have the birth they want that’s right for their circumstances.” Lisa has worked with 17 families in the past 12 months and that increasing numbers of people are turning to doula services.


And it’s not just the preserve of the rich. “We have wealthy clients but equally those who are from socially deprived areas. We see all kinds of family units from the traditional to what might be described as very modern – basically anyone who recognises the value of objective and continuous individual support,” explained Lisa.

There is also a Doula Access Fund accessible through Doula UK, whereby people who cannot afford a doula can apply for financial help in securing their services. Many doulas often also consider skill swaps with prospective clients.
Lisa added: “You’ll find that doulas are not in it for the money. They are usually like me – aware of the huge privilege of their work. We really connect with the people we work with and invest a lot of our emotion and time into helping them as best we can. Our work never becomes routine. Without fail I am amazed and delighted at the work I do - at the miracle of the birth of a child.”


Lisa gave us some general advice about preparing for the birth of a baby:

* Ante-natal preparation is vital. Find out as much factual information as you can. Research your options whether you’re giving birth in a hospital, birth centre or at home. The ‘standard’ option is not always right for everyone so really think about what you want.
* Mental and physical preparation is so important. Consider relaxation, self-hypnosis and visualisation if you think it will help you and check out local pregnancy yoga or Lazy Daisy gentle movement for birth classes. 
*There is an excellent Lazy Daisy group locally contact Email amanda@lazydaisybirthing.co.uk or visit www.thelazydaisychain.co.uk for details
*There are some free classes planned in Otley and Harrogate on 20 and 21st December – check out the MoobaaKids events page for details!
* Above all don’t be scared by other people’s stories or pre-conceived ideas. Believe that this can be a positive experience
because it really can be. Giving birth is a wonderful thing and it’s such a shame that people can let fear over-shadow and affect how they deal with it.


And some top tips following the birth of your baby:

* Don’t underestimate the importance of skin to skin contact. It’s vital for bonding with your baby. This close contact just as nature intended had numerous benefits including regulating the baby’s body temperature and getting you used to one another.
* Indulge yourself and your family. Enjoy the ‘babymoon’ as it’s such a special time. Really take the time do whatever suits you and your family and if this means time to yourself or sleeping and just being with your baby then do it!
* Enlist as much support as you can…be demanding! This is your time at home with the new addition to your family. Limit your visitors and ask that those who come bring you something nice be it a cake, Radox or your dinner for the evening! Or ask them to put the kettle on while they’re there. People love to help and offer support and are generally very pleased to be asked!

If you’re currently expecting we wish you all the very best with the rest of your pregnancy, birth of your baby and the early days.



A recent Cochrane review that involved over 15 thousand women concluded that having continuous support of a doula reduced risks in child birth. Women who have a doula are shown to have shorter labours, are less likely to feel that they need pain relief, less likely to have a forceps or c section delivery, were less likely to feel negatively about their birth experiences.

If you’d like more information then please visit www.doula.org.uk or for information about Lisa’s services then visit http://www.everyday-miracle.co.uk/

The 12 Ways of Christmas

December is racing by with calendar doors popping open all over the place and it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! You recently all shared your top tips with us for making Christmas especially exciting. We had some *brilliant* suggestions for sprinkling extra magic over the festive fun and so (along with a few of our own) we thought we'd post a round up here! So here’s our ideas for The 12 Ways of Christmas!

NSPCC Letter from Santa

1. Write and post a letter to Santa - and get a FREE reply courtesy of the Royal Mail - visit www.royalmail.com/letters-to-santa for details (your letter needs to be sent by 14 December 2011 to get a reply by Christmas Eve). Or why not donate to the NSPCC in the process - click here for how. Or if you're lucky enough to have an open fire - let your letter get sucked up the chimney (just like magic!) - but don't forget to arrange your own 'reply'!

2. Visit www.portablenorthpole.tv to get a FREE personalised video message from Santa for your little one. By all accounts, they are AMAZING!

Gingerbread People

3. Get creative in the kitchen - seek out some festive child-friendly recipes on the web - we like the look of these gingerbread people! And if they turn out ok why not bag them up and give some of them away as gifts?



4. Cosy up on the sofa (perhaps with some new PJ's courtesy of an early surprise gift from "Mrs Claus") and watch a classic Christmas movie/cartoon - The Snowman, Home Alone, Disney's Christmas Carol and The Polar Express are just a few of our favourites!



5. Read a Christmas-themed story each night before bedtime in the run up to the big day - we like One Snowy Night, The Grinch and the ever enchanting ‘Twas the Night before Christmas!



6. Take your little one to meet the man himself - Santa! There are so many places to visit Santa in and around Skipton you really are spoiled for choice - you can see him on a train, on a boat, in his grotto, in a caravan in the woods or even in a cave! Check out the MooBaaKids Events page for our pick of the best places to see Santa during December.

Reindeer Dust!

7. Get your Christmas Eve ritual sorted before they go to bed:


* Let them sprinkle some "reindeer dust" (aka dry porridge oats mixed with glitter!) outside your front door so that the reindeer know where to land!
* Put out a mince pie, a glass of your favourite tipple and a carrot for Santa and his reindeer.
* Put out your "Santa Stop Here" sign
* If you don't have a chimney and therefore have trouble explaining how Santa gets in - leave a special "Santa key" out for him (which is any old key - obviously don't use your actual door key - with a bit of red ribbon tied to it!) so that Santa can let himself in
* And if you really want to go to town (and have a helpful volunteer) - with the little ones safely indoors get a friend to dress up as Santa and shake some bells outside the kids' window. Let the little ones listen out for the bells and then let them have a look out of their window to see him for themselves - you could even let them take a photo as 'proof' for years to come! * Don't forget to 'track' Santa on Norad as he delivers presents all around the world on Christmas Eve!

Enchanted Forest at Stockeld Park nr Wetherby

8. Take your little one along to a local festive performance and soak up the atmosphere - could be a pantomime, nativity play or carol service. There are lots of suggestions on our Events page! For a special treat you can't beat The Christmas Adventure at Stockeld Park nr Wetherby. With an enchanted wood (featuring talking trees and twinkly lights), a real ice rink, a magical maze, Santa's grotto, festive cafe and a shop filled to the brim with festive decs, you simply can't go wrong! You can also select and bring your own Christmas tree home with you.



9. For younger ones why not get together with some friends and arrange your own little Christmas party and share the burden - all bring some food, music and arrange a secret santa gift exchange for the kids



10. Put any leftover wrapping paper across the door to your living room and on Christmas day morning let the kids burst through it to discover what Santa has left for them.

Santa's footprints!

11. To PROVE that he exists, sieve some icing sugar over a pair of big wellies/boots by the fireplace / front door to make Santa's snowy footprints (and you can do miniature ones using your little one's shoes for the elves/fairies!)



12. For slightly older kids - slap on some Christmas tunes and let them help decorate the Christmas tree. Or for added excitement and maybe for younger ones, let the "elves" visit at night and put up the Christmas tree while they are alseep in bed - a lovely treat for them to wake up to in the morning!



Whatever you do with your little ones to make the magic countdown special and the big day sparkle, enjoy! Don’t forget to have your camera to hand oh, and be good or Santa will know! x

Aladdin And His Magic Lamp at The Mart Theatre, Skipton - two dates only!

ALADDIN AND HIS MAGIC LAMP – two dates only!
The Mart Theatre, Skipton - 23rd and 24th December, 2011
11.00am & 2.30pm each day


We are so excited (Oh, yes we are!) about the two-date pop-up panto that’s heading to The Mart Theatre, Skipton. Aladdin And His Magic Lamp is set to get families across the area feeling really festive in the run up to Christmas.


Starring former Eastender Mark Homer (Tony Hills) as Abanazer and a cracking cast, the show promises to be a riot of comedy and wonderful foot-tapping songs and beautiful costumes all in the brilliant atmosphere of the auction mart.


George Critchley for PMA Productions brings the Middle Eastern folk tale to life in a magical way. The show retells the life of a young poor boy Aladdin (Alex Beaumont) who lives with his mum Widow Twankey (Neil Bromley), and brother Wishee Washee in a Chinese City (thought to be Peking) who is recruited to find a Magic Lamp by his mysterious Uncle Abanazer.


Everyone is invited to come and find out what happens when Aladdin is double-crossed and finds himself stuck in the booby-trapped cave of wonders.
Meet the Genie (Jack Lewis-Slatter) who lives in a Lamp, his sidekick The Slave of the Ring (Rebecca Charnley), Sophie Michaels as Princess Yasmin, in this new production for all the family.


Along with a full supporting troupe of dancers from Karen Heritage Dance Academy (Stockton-on-Tees) and all the traditional ingredients of a fun-filled, family pantomime, this is sure to be a festive treat for any age.


Tickets: £7.50 adult, £5.00 child, £20 family ticket (must include one adult) Book online at www.themarttheatre.org.uk
Or call the box office: 01756 706460

*Special Offer* for the Alhambra's Robin Hood Panto!

There’s nothing more Christmassy than a good old panto and Bradford’s Alhambra has offered MooBaaKids’ users an exclusive discount offer on selected dates for Robin Hood – The pantomime Adventure!
Billy Pearce (Robin Hood), comedienne Hilary O’Neil (The Sorceress) and Bradford-born Andrew Ryan (Nurse Nelly) lead the superb cast of West Yorkshire’s biggest pantomime which features amazing visual effects!

Join the legendary hero and his merry men in an un-missable pantomime adventure as they encounter a spectacular flying dragon, with a wing span of over five metres, and an enchanted waterfall, which can answer questions put to it by spelling out words!


MooBaaKids users can ring up for tickets NOW and simply quote MOOBAA OFFER to secure the following fantastic discount:
Best seats (stalls & dress circle) £15, that's a saving of up to £9.50 on these dates / performances:
Tues 20 Dec - 2.30pm; 
Wed 21 Dec - 2.30pm; 
Thurs 22 Dec - 2.30pm; 
Tues 10 Jan - 6.15pm; 
Tues 17 Jan - 6.15pm.
The offer is on a first come first served basis and therefore subject to availability and booking fees. 

For the 6.15pm performances, "Friar Tuck's" restaurant will be open for pre-show dining or there's the "grab a bag" option for a quicker snack on the run! All details are on the theatre’s web page, just scroll down a bit.


Since 1914, Alhambra Theatre pantomimes have been an essential part of the festive season in Bradford and alongside the superb visual effects, Robin Hood audiences are in for dazzling show complete with an abundance of comedy, lavish sets and fantastic costumes!


So don’t leave it any longer to book your tickets for this sheriff-busting, arrow-shooting, tights-wearing, hog-roasting pantomime spectacular…

Rudolph takes a break as Santa takes to the Leeds-Liverpool Canal!

When Santa comes to Skipton town he’ll be swapping the skies for the canal and giving the reindeer a rest! Pennine Boat Trips are all set to welcome him and your little ones on board each weekend in December for a magical adventure.


We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again (and again)…we are incredibly lucky to be bringing our kids up in Skipton where there’s so much to do. The canal is such a big part of the town’s history and identity that it’s never too early to introduce them to it.

Pirate Nick!

These fab boat trips with Father Christmas really caught our eye in the Christmas countdown as a fun way to get into the festive swing. The journey starts at the Canal Basin where there’s a Pirate magician to entertain passengers. Five minutes into the cruise and Santa is waiting on the towpath fast asleep! If the voices of Skipton’s nippers are in good form he’ll be woken with a start and jump on board the Cobbydale to call up all the children by name to the front of the boat.


After he’s had a little chat with them dropping in some snippets about what he knows about each of them (courtesy of who ever is accompanying them!) it’s time for him to give them all a gift from his sack of presents. As the children enjoy the merriment, the accompanying adults will be treated to a hot drink and tasty mince pie while they take in the views.


Children are invited to come dressed in their pirate get-up and the best will win a prize! The trips last 75 minutes and run every weekend in December up to the 20th. There are 3 trips a day (depending on demand) at 11.30am, 1.00pm and 2.30pm, at £12.00 per ticket. These trips are really popular so please book now to avoid disappointment. Boarding from the wharf, at Waterside Court, Coach St (next to the Ultimate Outdoors).


There are also special festive trips for the grown-ups planned too – we like the sound of the Christmas dinner cruises and the Sunday roasts (phew - no duck on the menu!), and their luxury dayboat hire! For further information call 01756 790 829 or visit www.canaltrips.co.uk/santa_trips.php

Will you go down to the woods today?

One of the things we love about bringing our kids up in Skipton is that the greatest of the great outdoors is literally on our doorstep. We’re surrounded by beautiful countryside and really varied scenery on all sides from the Yorkshire Dales National Park, across to Pendle Hill and over the moors towards Ilkley and Keighley.


Even in Skipton town itself there’s the fantastic green oasis that is Skipton Woods. National Tree Week (26 Nov – 4 Dec) starts today and it got us thinking about braving the chill and getting outside to enjoy it! So why not wrap up warm, download a Woodland Trust info pack and go down to the woods today!

We also wanted to share with you information about a thoroughly brilliant group in Oakworth called Come Play in the Woods (you’ll find them on facebook under this name or check out what MooBaaKids ‘likes’ on our facebook page and you’ll see them)

The parent and child group meets on Mondays (term time only) 1pm-3pm/dusk (for as much or as little of the session as you like) at Griff Woods (click the previous link for a map) and is led by experienced forest school practitioners.

Attracting families from as ‘far’ a field as Skipton, Silsden, Todmorden and Barnoldswick, the group has even braved sub zero temperatures to track rabbit foot prints in the snow, celebrate the winter solstice with lantern making and slide about on the ice. So if things like tree-climbing, cooking on a fire, making dens, exploring and adventure sound right up your street then head over and join them – there’s no need to pre-book.

Children must be accompanied by an adult and it’s recommended that you wear wellies and warm waterproof old clothing. There are no age restrictions – the youngest regular member started at 6 days old! Babies get a lot from the sensory experience as do older children as they grow up and can explore the woods in different ways. Everyone is welcome and the kettle will be on! It costs £1 per adult and £1 per child. They post on facebook if the session is to be cancelled due to severe weather but organisers can also be contacted on 07974947968.

Come Play in the Woods was set up by Aspyrian, a Keighley-based organisation which works with experienced outdoor practitioners and educational facilitators to provide quality outdoor learning experiences. They deliver work across Yorkshire and Lancashire, and undertake national projects.

Stir it up with the kids today!

We hate a premature countdown to Christmas as much as anyone but with just 35 days to go and Stir Up Sunday today (20th November), it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas is on its way!


Stir Up Sunday was traditionally the day the whole family got involved to make the Christmas pudding or cake so that the flavours had plenty of time to develop for the big day.


According to tradition, every member of the family gave the mixture a good stir and made a secret wish! If you’re little helpers are keen to get involved then we’ve found some tips here on damage limitation!


There are plenty of great bakeries in Skipton and the surrounding area where you’ll be able to buy your cake but if you fancy a whirl in the kitchen making a traditional Christmas pudding with your little ones this recipe looks a relatively easy one to follow:



Ingredients
225g/8oz golden caster sugar
225g/8oz vegetarian suet
340g/12oz sultanas
340g/12oz raisins
225g/8oz currants
120g/4oz chopped candied peel
120g/4oz plain flour
120g/4oz fresh white breadcrumbs
60g/2oz flaked white almonds
Zest of one lemon
5 Eggs beaten
1 level teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1 level teaspoon of mixed spice
1 level teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg
Pinch of salt
150ml/5fl oz of brandy or rum



Method
* Mix together all the dry ingredients
* Stir in the eggs and brandy and mix through well
* Turn the mix into 4x1 pint, or 2x 2 pint lightly greased pudding basins
* Put a circle of baking parchment and foil over the top of each lid and tie securely with string
* Make a string handle from one side of the basin to the other so its easy to pick out of the pan after cooking
* Put the basins in a large steamer of boiling water and cover with a lid.
* Boil for 5-6 hours, topping up the boiling water as necessary.

If you don’t have a steamer, put the basins on inverted saucers in a large pan. Put in boiling water to come a third of the way up the sides of the pudding bowls. Cover and steam as before.
* Cool
* Change the baking parchment and foil covers for fresh ones and tie up as before. Store in a cool cupboard until Christmas day.



To serve, steam for two hours, and serve with brandy butter, rum sauce, cream or custard.



A coin was always traditionally added to the mix supposedly to bring wealth to whoever found it. If you don’t have an old silver sixpence hanging around, a pound wrapped in greaseproof paper will do. We know we’re in Yorkshire and that’s a fair hike in inflation but a bigger coin has the added bonus of reducing the risk of anyone choking at the table!

Father Christmas takes up residence at Bolton Abbey!

With the Christmas countdown now officially on we’re delighted to let you know that Santa himself is in residence at Bolton Abbey throughout December gearing up for the busiest day of his year!


Magical enough at the best of times, Bolton Abbey Estate cannot wait to host the visits from Father Christmas, Mrs Christmas and the elves to enchant little ones from across the area.


After a 4,000 mile journey from the North Pole, he will be resting in an old Romany caravan nestled in Strid Wood on the 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th (fully booked), 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd December between 10am and 4pm.


You’re invited to wrap up warm and follow a trail of presents from Father Christmas' sleigh (parked outside the Cavendish Pavilion) to find where he is hidden in the woods (Only a 5 minute walk from the Cavendish Pavilion – suitable for pushchairs). Once you find him – you’ll also find that he has presents suitable for all ages, being sorted by Mrs Christmas and a merry band of elves!

To keep queuing to a minimum, the elves have devised a system giving each family a booking time. The visits by Father Christmas are always incredibly popular so it’s recommended you book now to avoid disappointment. The Estate Office can be contacted on 01756 718 000.


Tickets are £4.50 per child and normal admission to the estate applies. For those visiting Father Christmas, the Cavendish Pavilion will offer a free children’s hot drink with each full paying adult hot drink. There’s much to tempt you to keep the chill off – delicious hot chocolate or a yummy babychino for the little ones – frothy milk with chocolate sprinkles.


Also on at Bolton Abbey is the Winter Wonderland Christmas Gift Fair (3rd and 4th December) and the 12 Days of Christmas Trail (25th December – 5th January).

Remember, remember the 5th November!

We're slightly obsessed with sparklers!

Admittedly there was the unfortunate business with the gunpowder, treason and plot, but nonetheless we love Guy Fawkes. Without his foiled attempts to blow up the Houses of Parliament, there would be no bonfire night – one of the best nights of the year to be a kid or to have one!

Not only that, but Mr Fawkes was a Yorkshireman…we’re sure that as such he would approve of the ten percent discount that Skipton Sweet Shop is offering MooBaaKids users on bonfire toffee for the run up to Bonfire Night.

Skipton Sweet Shop

The fabulous traditional sweet shop opposite the Castle Pub on Mill Bridge, will sell you their delicious bonfire toffee for just 90p per 100g for the whole week (from 30 Oct till 5 November – visit the shop local section of our website to print off your voucher). Our little ones absolutely LOVE looking at the shop’s brilliant window displays and you can’t beat the hundreds of sweetie jars inside the shop for a special treat!

So, where to take your bonfire toffee once you’ve stocked up? There must be loads of village bonfires going on but two of the bigger ones locally are Guy Fawkes Night at the Devonshire Arms at Bolton Abbey and the Firework Extravaganza at Thornton Park Farm, near Skipton (both on the 5th).

And from one infamous Yorkshireman to a famous Yorkshire chef…James Martin’s yummy toffee apple muffins are perfect for baking with children and will get you in the mood for bonfire night.

Toffee Apple Muffins (from bbc.co.uk)

Ingredients
* 2 free-range eggs, lightly beaten * 80g/2¾oz caster sugar * 240ml/8½fl oz milk * 100g/3½oz butter, melted * 300g/10½oz plain flour * 2 tsp baking powder * ½ tsp salt * pinch cinnamon * 2 eating apples, peeled, cored, finely chopped * 200g/7oz shop-bought toffee pieces

Preparation method
1. Preheat the oven to 190C/380F/Gas 5 and line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases.
2. Mix the eggs, sugar, milk and melted butter in a large bowl. Sift the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon into the bowl. Stir well to combine.
3. Add the chopped apple and lightly mix.
4. Using half of the mixture, quarter-fill each of the muffin cases with the mixture and top with a few pieces of toffee. Cover with the remaining filling so the cases are half full.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes until well risen and golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve warm or cold.

Feeling Peckish? It's Feed The Birds Day!

If the closest your little ones get to our feathered friends is singing along with Muffin, Jordan, Beakman and the like (and let’s face it, who isn’t totally charmed by 3RD and bird?!) then tomorrow (Saturday) is the day to change all that – it’s the RSPB’s Feed The Birds Day 


The aim is to encourage birds of all shapes and sizes into your gardens and feed them up before the really cold Yorkshire weather kicks in. We’ve found this great Bird Food Cake recipe which looks cheap and easy to make. Little ones will love getting their hands in the mix and watching the flocks come down to feast once it’s out in the garden.


And if Masterchef for birds doesn’t fit the bill (pun not intended, but left nonetheless!) for you this weekend, you take your little ones to look at some birds instead. There can’t be many kids in Skipton who haven’t spent happy times feeding up the ducks on the canal, or you could take a trip out of town? There’s the aviary at Cliffe Castle, near Keighley; Falconry centres at Settle and Coniston Cold and the aviaries at Harewood House and Tropical World, Leeds.


Enjoy! x

Rhythm (Time) is gonna get you!

Anyone who’s heard the enthusiastic strains of a pots and pans band knows how much little ones enjoy music and rhythm. It’s great to encourage this from an early age and it seems you can’t start them early enough – babies are aware of sounds in the womb and as soon as they’re born respond to music and singing. 

We can’t recommend Lynne O’Malley’s Rhythm Time classes in Skipton (at the baptist church, Otley Street) highly enough – as they’ve grown, our little ones have nodded and bobbed their heads and developed their musicality under Lynne’s brilliant guidance. 

Rhythm Time is more than just a sing-a-long and uses music and activities to encourage children’s development through structured but fun learning. Because children develop at different stages there are three courses on offer – babies; toddlers; and pre-schoolers. And because each child is different within the group, Lynne takes care and time to make sure each and every one gets something out of all the classes. 

The action-packed classes involve a lot of unaccompanied singing which helps the babies and children to start vocalising and sing in tune (without any judgement along the way!) The courses have been specially developed to stimulate language growth and memory. Lynne crams a lot in to the 30 minute classes and always responds to requests from the group – when asked if she could get the class moving to burn off a bit of energy – that’s exactly what she did and they loved it! Lynne has a really intuitive way with the children and even the most strong-willed (and aren’t they all from time to time!) seem to calm down with her and listen to her requests. 

Rat-a-Tat making an appearance!

The aim is for the little ones (and accompanying adults!) to really enjoy themselves while learning that making music as a group is a wonderful experience. As they develop each week, so does their confidence, co-ordination and creativity.  One of the highlights for many children is meeting (and cuddling!) Rat-a-Tat, the Rhythm Time mascot (aka hand puppet!) who makes an appearance at each session. Some of the children literally leap into the air when they see him and it's been difficult to prise some kids away from the cuddling him!  

Another highlight in the babies group is a relaxing session towards then end where the lights are turned down and Lynne plays some soothing music while the babies lie on a patchwork blanket and watch bubbles float down from the sky. There really is a magical atmosphere and most of the mums we’ve spoken to said they felt emotional to see the little ones’ faces filled with wonder, transfixed on the bubbles!  

We are so lucky to have such a creative Rhythm Time group here in Skipton – it’s obvious from the classes how passionate those taking the classes are and how well all the little ones respond to it. You can attend a free first trail session to see if you like it and for more information can contact Lynne on 07789 895894. In the meantime…dig out those pots and pans!x