Dorset

Isaac's Birthday

Isaac’s Science Party

Last year when watching Dragon’s Den we saw Mad Mark win funding from the Dragon’s for his science parties and from then Isaac knew just what sort of party he wanted for his birthday.

Sadly, looking into it, Mark’s company doesn’t cover Dorset but after a bit of research I discovered Fun Science Dorset and booked their complete package for a joint party for Isaac and his friend Scott and we hired our local community centre so we didn’t have to worry about trying to squeeze in my house, although you could have a science party at home if you had a big enough room.

We printed the free invitations from the website and handed them out. It felt like such a long wait but finally Saturday arrived. We set up the hall ready for everyone and our host, Kinetic Kate, arrived with her equipment which Isaac and Eliza both insisting that they help her set up.

Isaac's Birthday

We booked the complete package which consisted of a chemical/electrical extravaganza for roughly 65 minutes before a break for the children to sit down to eat their party tea and then a second half where they run a sweets and surprises party for half an hour after the children had finished eating.

I cannot praise Kinetic Kate highly enough. She was fun, factual and engaging with the children, testing their knowledge in a fun way. I have never seen a group of 24 children so quiet at a party – until the fun chemical reactions that is, which they met with whoops and cheers. Some of the experiments included blowing up a balloon without using their mouth, making slime and a fun volcano.

Science Party

Next up was an introduction to the Van de Graaff generator which is a machine Kinetic Kate used to make people’s hair stick up as well as making lightning – all using static electricity! She also used flashing circuit balls and the kids had to link up to become a circuit whilst learning about conductors, insulators and switches.

Science Party

Everyone got a turn at making their hair stick up, which caused lots of giggles especially when she turned the generator off as the hair literally snapped back down into position. The kids then got to try out the science of colours by making rainbows appear before their very eyes whilst Kate set up the slime making. Everyone put on an apron and then made slime in the colour of their choice which they got to put in a bag and take home after the party.

Science Party

It was now time for some food and the kids sat down eat excitedly chatting about what they had been up to before the second half before singing Happy Birthday to the birthday boys. I must send a big shout out to my friend Helen from Scrumptilicious Cakes for making Isaac’s Ghostbusters cake – it was amazing.

Isaac's Birthday

They started the second half of the party by making their own (additive free!) sherbet to take home in an envelope. Some of their faces were hilarious as they tried the very sour sherbet! They also found out what puts the fizz into our fizzy drinks and we headed outside to do the mentos in a bottle of lemonade experiment which definitely got the loudest cheers of the day. The final experiment of the day was making candy floss and everyone got to have a taste, including the adults, before the children were handed their own certificates with their new scientist names.

Science Party

If you are looking for a party with a difference then I cannot recommend this highly enough. The kids had a blast and what’s more, they were learning too without realising it.

 

#PizzaExpressFamily

Pizza Express Bournemouth #PizzaExpressFamily

I always used to enjoy a visit to Pizza Express until last year when a birthday visit, which also happened to be Fathers Day, went badly wrong at their Tower Park branch. I was so disappointed with the state of the restaurant, food and service that we haven’t been back since – until now.

On Thursday we headed to the Bournemouth Pizza Express restaurant which is set in the beautiful old Post Office building in central Bournemouth and our experience couldn’t have been more different from our last visit.

The restaurant was well set out, clean and tidy but best of all it was warm and friendly. Our waitress, Delia, was the perfect hostess, introducing us to new food to try, recommending some dishes over others and being genuinely lovely. She even complimented Isaac, Eliza and Sebastian on their behaviour which seemed to make them want to behave even better.

We ordered our drinks and the kids got going on decorating their hats with crayola colouring pens and stickers that were supplied.

PizzaExpressFamily

When we ordered our food, unusually for us, we decided to have a starter. I love their dough balls and we got a sharing plate with bolognese, pesto and garlic butter dips for the adults although I have to say I preferred the kids balsamic vinegar dip though.

PizzaExpressFamily

I have heard great things about the cocktails at Pizza Express but sadly hubby met us there straight from work which meant we were both driving, so I consoled myself with a refreshing glass of Cloudy Sicilian Lemonade.

I was really impressed with how quickly our food came out. Upon Delia’s recommendation Hubby went for the Calabrese with fiery, soft ‘nduja sausage and spicy Calabrese sausage D.O.P with fresh chilli, Roquito pepper, roasted red & yellow peppers, mozzarella and tomato, finished with light mozzarella, rocket, pesto and Gran Milano cheese. I went for the Pollo salad with chicken, goat’s cheese, red pepper, fresh tomato, black olives and croutons with seasonal mixed leaves and house dressing and Kian stick to his normal choice of Sloppy Guiseppe with hot spiced beef, green pepper, red onion, mozzarella and tomato. Sebby and Eliza both had pasta and Isaac had a pepperoni pizza.

PizzaExpressFamily

Plates cleared it was time for dessert and I did wonder if I could squeeze anymore in, but I managed a light raspberry sorbet which was delicious. Hubby chose, another recommendation from Delia, the Honeycomb Cream Slice, Kian had the Chocolate Glory that we joked was almost as big as him and the kids chose Sundae’s.

PizzaExpressFamily

We really couldn’t fault this visit to Pizza Express in Bournemouth and my faith is restored in Pizza Express so we will definitely be back soon.

Pizza Express Bournemouth #PizzaExpressFamily

How would you like to win some very yummy Pizza Express prizes so that you can enjoy some family meal time yourself?

I will be co-hosting a Twitter party on the 31st March from 2.00-3.30pm and all you need to do is join in the conversation, tell us what you love about Pizza Express, your best tips for dining out with the family and use the hashtag to show you’re on board – #PizzaExpressFamily

Follow the hashtag from now because we will also be bringing you a very exciting competition in a few days, lots of lovely reviews, more information about the Twitter party and a very real party that we’ll be covering direct from Pizza Express in Westfield’s Stratford City. For now though, consider yourself well and truly invited!

Go on, join the #PizzaExpressFamily! You know you want to like a doughball wants garlic butter!

Disclaimer: We were guests of Pizza Express as part of the #PizzaExpressFamily campaign. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

PizzaExpressFamily

I have a very exciting giveaway below to win a meal with Pizza Express:

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