A group of parents in Grange have decided to come toegther to build a playground and improve current park facilities in North Sligo. They are currently fundraising and mykidstime Sligo is happy to support them however I can!

Heres some background to their plans and their current fundraising ideas! Please support!

This weekend they are receiving funds (along with STOP - Suicide Prevention Charity) from the Lissadell/Carney 10k on Easter Monday, April 5th. Walk or run this great race. The children’s race starts at 11am through the village, walkers start at 11.30 and runners start at 12. Lots of homemade goodies then afterwards in Oxfield Sports Centre Drumcliffe.

Well, have been trying to get out and about lately with DD before baby arrives, so have tried out a few new spots in Sligo over the weekend…

First off we were in Happy Days, yes another Indoor Play centre for us, this one is out by Cleveragh Retail Park. But with a busy bee like DD they are a godsend! Another great spot and again used an Out4Less voucher - seriously I feel I am never paying full price for anything these days!

We also passed by on a days driving Gillighans World and Eagles Flying but neither are open just yet. Eagles flying opens April 1st and Gillighans World in May, so we’ll get back to both. Rula Bula was also busy with a party so we’ll take a trip back here too.

As for eating out - I am greatful for no cooking or washing up at 39 weeks pregnant plus the diet starts after baby too - So after our few days out we tried Bella Vista in Strandhill one day and Molly Fultons in Carraroe the other.

Bella Vista was one I wanted to get to as they just did some work with The Afternoon Show on improving childrens food.  What a lovely spot. Himself had a pizza - excellent, I had Lasagne - excellent too and DD had sausage and chips - the bit she was most impressed with was the spotty childrens plate! Also how easy is it to provide crayons and paper and it really helps pass the wait! Well done Bella Vista! We’ll be back! (& ps used another €10 voucher here too!)

Molly Fultons was another busy spot, typical Sunday Lunch fare, very very quick service, again top marks for the colours/paper! Out4Less also has a voucher for here, but it was for the a la carte, so didn’t get to use it this time- darn!

After all the eating we also took in Hazelwood and The Gleniff Millsite - great bit of fresh air at both!

Mykidstime Meath has arrived, so Meath parents can now log on and check out info on activities, let all your friends and family in Meath know!! Congrats to Linda for all her hard work!!
Mykidstime is now in Galway, Dublin, Wexford, Limerick, Cork, Sligo, Clare and Meath!

I remember being fascinated with the Solar System when I was younger and I think a lot of children are still the same!

Astronomy Ireland are now in the second year of running their very successful School Education Programme. They have a team of Education Officers who travel around Irish schools giving fascinating talks on astronomy. Their talks are comprised of a PowerPoint, highly visual presentation with a 45 - 60 minute detailed lesson on astronomy which is both fun and of course educational with time for a question and answer session at the end. Talks can be tailored to suit each groups needs, for example, age, knowledge level, particular interests, etc. Talks for junior groups can be tailored to be more visually appealing with less detailed content, and more time for questions.

By the way every school that books a talk in 2010 will receive a fre astronomy pack for every student!

Another wet day, another indoor playcentre.. this time Dizzys Den in Bundoran, which is just up the road and we go fairly regularly - this time of the year anyway. They do a great toddler morning session every Monday to Thursday Morning (and on Wed and Thurs they do arts and crafts for 1/2 hour too.)  Lovely staff there too. Seriously enjoyed by DD.

Went to the Spring Clean Fair in Grange last weekend too - they are fundraising for to build a playground in North Sligo - much needed, so we’ll support it! DD got a bag of dinosaurs, some rice crispie buns and a Mr Men book! She was delighted with herself. Funny how some things never change - I could have got those things when I was her age too!

And, we’ve been using our Out 4 Less Voucher book. I bought one there at the start of the year, its €39.99 and already used vouchers that have saved me over €100 - in The Book Nest, Courthouse Restaurant, Cawleys Hotel, Bundoran Cinema, Lyons Cafe, Gourmet Parlour… think that’s it so far…. but plenty more to use yet!

I read an interesting article in the Sligo Champion there about Davis’ Restaurant/Yeats Tavern in Drumcliffe participating in The Afternoon Show’s Campaign to improve healthy menus for children. I look forward to seeing how they get on!

Strandhills Bella Vista is also listed as an approved restaurant by the show.

Approval is gained by providing healthy kids menus, based on nutritional guidelines, by RTE’s The Afternoon Show.  Look out for the ‘Improved Tasty and Healthy Menu For Kids’ sticker and charter in the restaurants.

I am really please to announce the arrival of the latest mykidstime website, dedicated to Co. Clare, with our usual good information, articles etc for parents. Well done to Laura, our Clare mykidstimer for all her hard work! Tell your Clare friends and relations to check it out!

Yeah! I was twittered about See here! I won’t let the fame go to my head though. Thanks Pol!

Another nice bit of press here too … everything for Sligo parents online at mykidstime.ie

Myself and DD had a great old time at Funny Bones in Colooney there on Friday morning. We met up with our dear friends and R had a great time climbing, sliding and jumping - shes a real live wire and loves it.They do a toddler session in the mornings with a free tea/coffee for the parents.

Then a once in a blue moon trip to McDonalds for them…. anything for a quiet life at 8 months pregnant! But don’t they love it! (Mammy did too!)