Little Monsters Bash

On Saturday, we went to Little Monsters Bash, at Stanmer Park in Brighton.  This was a festival for young children, arranged in aid of Tree of Hope - a charity that helps sick children.  Someone sent me details a while ago on Facebook but it didn't sound that exciting until I checked out the the line up.  The headline acts were Heaven for the under tens. 

Munchkin got to meet Peppa and George but she wasn't expecting them to be six feet tall, and was a little scared!  Captain Barnacles and Quasii from The Octonauts were also there, as was Yo Jo Jo (or whatever his name is) from WayBaloo.

George doing a meet and greeet

There were some excellent shows on the main stage - most of which repeated several times, meaning that we had a chance to see what was on elsewhere.  Alex Winters from CBeebies was the compere.  I think it's perhaps the only time he's been able to give a big up to shows from Nick Jr without falling foul of his employer. I really enjoyed Katy Ashworth's band.  I like a bit of live music and they were talented and entertaining.  Munchkin enjoyed watching Go Go Go... or the Go Go People as she prefers to call them.  We didn't bother with all the main acts, since we thought Dick and Dom, and the times table rapper amongst others, were too grown up for her. 

Katy and her band on the main stage

There was much more going on than I have room to mention here.  The only marquee that we  managed to get to was the Story Tent.  The Crafts Tent looked good, as did some of the other activities including Sing and Sign, and a kiddies' disco.  There were various stalls dotted around, the most popular of which sold animal shaped helium balloons. In addition to all the shows and stalls, there were kiddies' favourites such as a bouncy castle and face painting; Munchkin was a happy, busy girl. 

Little Monsters Bash wasn't cheap, it was around £15 a person, even with a Groupon discount.  However, you got a lot for your money.  I believe parking was an additional £5, but we didn't need to pay this.  2014 was  the festival's first year and I hope it continues for many more.  My only criticisms would be some minor logistical ones: although there were plenty of toilets there wasn't enough toilet paper, and there weren't enough children's options on the catering vans.  Given that picnics weren't allowed, an outlet selling sandwiches would probably have gone down well.  I'm also undecided on the merits of a mobile petting zoo.  Do meerkats like spending significant amounts of time in transit, and setting up a temporary home away from their normal territory?

Munchkin's social life seems to be continuing apace over the summer holidays so I'll no doubt be writing more blogs on activities.  It makes a change from potty training, which incidentally is completely done.  She doesn't even wear nappies at night now.  I just need to find a buyer for those expensive cloth training pants.

Blackberry Farm

Last weekend Munchkin's cousin Sweetpea (and her parents) came to stay.  The girls really enjoy spending time together, it's particularly nice for Sweetpea as she doesn't get many opportunities to mix with other small children.  There's only 11 months between them and they generally want to do similar things, although it's probably fair to say I have the more adventurous child.

We first went to Blackberry Farm last year when Munchkin was a baby.  She had her first ride on a swing there.  We noted that there was a large play area for toddlers and thought it might be nice to come back with Sweetpea.  Blackberry Farm is in the hamlet of Whitesmith, to the east of Lewes.  Our Sat Nav failed to find it but luckily I knew it was on the main road so carried on driving until I saw a sign post.  It was a  lovely day and we were surprised it wasn't more busy.  I guess this was due to a combination of people preferring the beach and Blackberry Farm not being particularly well known.  We first went there with my step-sister, who lives in Lewes; no-one from outside the Lewes area seems to have heard of it.

Admission wasn't cheap, but there are offers and season tickets available.  I was slightly miffed at having to pay child rate for Munchkin but I guess it's only fair considering how much toddler stuff they have.  During peak times (Mar to Sept inclusive), it's £7.50 for adults and £7.00 for children over one.  We had a pleasant walk around the open farm area.  We've been to a few farms just recently and this is definitely one of the better ones.  It looks as if lots of money has been invested to make it a visitor attraction.  You walk round a circular route, rather than getting to a field or barn and having to turn back as so often happens on open farms.  I enjoyed feeding the ducks and goats.  The girls were vaguely interested in watching me and they did like the birds and animals but were definitely more interested in the play area.

Last time we visited, we had two slightly older children with us.  They both enjoyed the pony rides.  Though the little boy almost didn't get one; it's necessary to book as soon as you arrive.  The play area has things for children of all ages.  We stayed in the toddler area this time.  Last time we were in the main play area which includes monkey swings and a zip wire.  There's a huge "jumping pillow" suitable for all ages.  In the toddler area, there's a range of slides and a trampoline.  Sweetpea enjoyed bouncing on the trampoline.  Munchkin got everyone else to bounce her!  Blackberry Farm also has a cafe, though we didn't use it because we'd brought a picnic.  The picnic area is on the perifery of the play area, which unfortunately meant Munchkin ran off once when we were trying to get her to eat.  We fared better than Sweetpea's parents.  Sweetpea had no interest in eating and just kept running off to check out play equipment.  The playground was a real hit, we had trouble persuading the girls to leave!  I can't imagine us visiting enough to warrant a season ticket (£45 for a child) but I'm sure we'll be back.

Weather permitting, we'll be back in the Lewes area tomorrow.  I'm a member of Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare so we're popping over to see the animals and birds.  There's no admission charge, but I'd feel incredibly mean if I didn't give them a donation.

In other news, potty training has stalled again.  Munchkin has stopped telling me when she's done a poo.  Yesterday she sat on the potty, stood up and pooed on the floor next to it, destroying four Mr Men books in the process.  I guess I should at least be grateful that she's potty aware.  I know of older children who have less interest in the potty than she does.  We went back to swimming and gymnastics this week. Once Munchkin had remembered what it was all about, she started to enjoy them again.  This evening I asked Munchkin what she wanted to do tomorrow.  She simply replied, "Eat".