Music CD - 50 Greatest Children Songs - Review

Since my daughter was born, like most children she loved music. So, my search began for a music CD which  I wouldn't mind playing in the background all day long. I tried and tested a number of CDs but invariably I ended up with nursery rhymes sung in silly accented shrill, baby voices which was pretty irritating for me as well as my daughter.

Then one day I picked up a CD named 50 Greatest Children Songs, with a great song compilation sung in lovely soothing voices. Its been 4 years and my daughter still enjoys listening to this Music CD and thankfully I am still not tired of hearing it too.

I would rate this music CD a 10/10 - as its a soothing one to play in the background while enjoying Mommyhood.

Happy Listening :)

Birthday Party Venues @ Powai

Mumbai has a perennial space problem but it does provide quite a variety of birthday party venues. Where as, Parents in Powai have limited options when it comes to choosing a birthday party venue for their child. Though, I must add that the options are slowly increasing in number while there is still ample room for more and better birthday party venue providers for children as 
each year parents like to try out something new. 


Here are a few options open to Parents in Powai:


1. Pizza Hut - This is where we celebrated our daughter's fourth birthday.
Here is my review of Pizza Hut as a party place. 
More details at - http://www.pizzahut.co.in/dinein/Parties.php

Here I would like to mention that Pizza hut does offers more options / variety of food than Papa Johns. 


2. Papa Johns (Powai) - I had attended my nephew's birthday party here in 2010 and it was a lovely experience. The events coordinator was great and for a change the clown was talented and funny. Unfortunately, when I went to enquire about having a party for my daughter in Apr-2011 they said that they have discontinued entertainment due to some incident which happened. 


Here is my review of Papa Johns (as a guest at the party)
> The place is nice and spacious. 
> The staff is pleasant and courteous
> Music was good and so was the service. 
> They don't really do theme parties 
> They do have a host and games arranged


The charges are approx. Rs.199 per child - inclusive of food and return present and Rs. 149 without the gift. The cake is excluded and is to be arranged by you.

Rating: I would rate this place 6/10. As they have no entertainment arrangements as well as don't allow hiring any entertainers.
Contact no. 022-25707373

Website - http://papajohnspizza.in/birthday-partymenu

3. Utsav -  Attended a birthday party as guest so, don't really know all the details but understand that the food is 'value for money' as the place is not too expensive. They also have a party organiser to arrange games etc. for the kids at the birthday party. 
Contact no.  022-25705356 / 7, 9819258618.   


4. Meluha - The Fern - I attended a birthday party at Meluha - the Fern which was organised on the pool side terrace (which has a lovely view) or they can also arrange it indoors. I don't have all the details but here are some points to get you started and help you decide. 
> Min. headcount is 20. 
> They charge - R. 650/- per plate for Veg and Rs. 750/- per plate for Non veg. 
> They have a few preferred party organisers which take care of entertainment. 
> The decoration is taken care of by them. You can decide the theme. 
Contact No. 022-25755555
Website: http://www.meluhafernhotel.com/


5. Rodas - I have not attended any parties or tried out this venue but one of my friends did and she loved it. Here are some points she mentioned: 
> Min. headcount is 20. 
> They charge - Rs. 900/- per plate which includes veg and non-veg.
> They have party organisers which manage the entertainment. 
> The decoration is taken care of by them. 
Contact no. 022-66936969
Website: http://www.rodashotel.com/about-us.htm


Hope the above info. helped. 


HAPPY PARTYING :)


If you have any venues to add to the list above please feel free to share with us and other Parents in Powai.:)
If you need information on other birthday stuff - hop on to this page

Monkeying around with the Tumbling Monkeys Game

I have not written for quite a while...and one of the main reasons is this new game which my daughter is in love with. She can't get enough of this game. So, I have to join in (not that I am complaining). In fact, here are the reasons why both of us just love this game:



My daughter helps me set it up,

1. Encourages colour recognition of the different coloured sticks
2. Enhances fine motor skills and co ordination
3. Once the monkeys are in - Its really funny to watch them come tumbling down.
4. This game also teaches and reinforces turn taking and counting (30 sticks - 10 of each colour and 30 monkeys)
5. The aim of the game is to tumble minimum monkeys when each player pulls out a stick of a specific colour though my daughter prefers changing it to who can tumble and collect most monkeys,  This works for me too as she loves counting who's got the maximum number and Won. 
6. All in all this is a FUN game for all ages and can guarantees loads of laughter

For a price of INR 599/- this is one of the best ways to spend rainy days at home. Surely, a great way to make the most of your time together by simply Monkeying Around. :)

I would rate this game a 10 /10. Also, makes a great birthday present. :)

No Mess Painting with Crayola

While my daughter loves painting but its really no wonder that till now, I dreaded painting time.  Every time she wanted to paint either I tried to avoid it by distracting her with something less messy or had to cover up everything possible with newspaper. 


Then, one fine day I hit a jackpot!!! 


While browsing through books at Crosswords - something really interesting caught my eye - Crayola Mess - Free Color Wonder Paints and Paper. 


These amazing paints are truly magical and god sent (even though they are man made of course) for parents like me. Crayola Wonder Paints work only on special paper sheets - so there are no messy hands to wash up or cleaning up required.  Can you imagine ? Finally, parents can enjoy the joys of painting without any worries. 


Costing in the range of Rs. 500 - Rs. 700 these wonderful mess free wonder paints and the special sheets which go along with them is truly worth the peace of mind which it gives to any parent while enjoying their child creating his / her own special masterpiece.   


I would give this product a 10/ 10. Full marks for helping me enjoy the Little Picasso my daughter is growing into. 


Crayola Wonder Paints and Sheets are available at most stationary shops but in case you don't find it - try at Crosswords (I bought mine from there).



HAPPY PAINTING !!! :)

Review - Pizza Hut as a Birthday Party Venue

Pizza Hut - This seems like a favourite of parents in Powai as most birthday parties are held here. 

Not really surprising, as this venue is really a no fuss no mess arrangement. 

The staff at Pizza Hut arrange everything from the party theme (Ben 10 for boys and Power Puff Girls for girls), decor, food - Pizza / Pasta, tattoo artist, mascot (though I did not really like the mickey mouse mascot as it looked more like a scrawny rat - but that's my personal opinion). The best part is that they also arrange 2 - 3 games. The host is a warm and friendly girl who manages the kids pretty well especially during the games and the general commotion. 

Charges:  

The minimum number of kids invited needs to be 15 - as they have a minimum requirement. The charges are approx. 100 - 120 per child - inclusive of food and the game prizes.
The cake is excluded and is to be arranged by you.
They also arrange a number of other entertaining activities like the tattoo artist, mascot, juggler or any other act at an additional charge.

Rating: I would rate this place 7/10. One point less for the mascot - I think they can get a better costume and a healthier 'Mickey Mouse'. The other point less for the clause of minimum 15 children - younger children might not have 15 friends. The third point less is for space - I found their party area a bit small but hey !!! We are in Mumbai after all. So, guess I should expect and accept it. 

Overall - a great place to have a kids party without any after effects of cleaning up.


Contact No. - 022 - 39883988
Website - http://www.pizzahut.co.in/dinein/Parties.php