First week of school is over + fab family comp

WIN, WIN, WIN! Scroll down for details on how to win a
family ticket for this exciting new show! Very easy entry,
just leave a comment with the answer!

The first week (kind of, Michela started on a Tuesday) of school has passed and it has been quite strange for me as my daughter now goes to an afterschool club every day. As she was at home with me till I was offered the proverbial 15 hours at preschool I feel kind of bereaved. Last year she started with one afternoon at the club and by mid January she was going three days a week. This year it's full time from morning till 6pm.

It has been a shock for her too, despite pestering me for extra afternoons last year, so she could "catch up" with all her school friends. However, I have now to beware of what she asks/says. My straightforward daughter has morphed into Andy from Little Britain (I want that one - not you don't - you know what I mean), so I have to take anything she wants/asks for with a pinch of salt. I think she has learnt a few wiles and annoying things - like crossing her arms and stamping her right foot when she is annoyed with me - at school and she has become "less easy to get" - sometimes she is a bit of a teenager too. 

For instance, going full time at the afterschool club was a dream come through, she wanted it so much last year and was looking forward to it, but after the first "week" she has realised that it involves seeing less of me and her dad. There are also no more weekday playdates. By the time she is home it's dinner time with a bit of TV, a story and then it's time to go to bed. 

She is a lovely, clever girl - not spoilt despite the odd patch - and to compensate I promised I'd go to help in her class this week. Which is where I was this morning, although I was mostly reading with other children in her class. She was pretty pleased though. 

I do enjoy combining work with volunteering, but it's getting a bit harder to juggle and I will have to stop for a few weeks as I am starting a full-time assignment away from home. Until then I'm still working from home and can squeeze in volunteering commitments. I spent the early morning making 420 x A6 pieces of paper for the school calendar - each child will draw a mugshot, I will then scan them and insert them in the calendar. It is a tad labour intensive, although using Quark Xpress will speed up the process. The previous volunteer used Word, it must have been quite a task. I'm customising a template from the internet - still there are over 400 tiny images to scan and drop into its pages! That will be a job for next week. If you wonder how I do it, the truth is that my house really needs a "spring clean" - a task that keeps sliding down my list of things to do.

WIN, WIN, WIN: a family ticket to a children's show near where you live!

Meet the quirky animals of Tinga Tinga Land

Barisons Productions, the creators of The Tweenies' show, is starting a UK tour of

How Lion Became King of Tinga Tinga Land

Written and directed by Iain Lauchlan, produced and composed by Brian Hill and choreographed by Alison Coyne, it's a fun-packed performance that will transport you and your little ones on a thrilling adventure to Africa. The tour kicks in on 15 September, so if you want to win tickets for your nearest show, enter as soon as you can!

HOW LION BECAME KING OF TINGA TINGA LAND follows the adventures of the wise old bird Banjoko, who decides that the land of Tinga Tinga should have a king. But which animal is worthy of this high honour?  On his journey, Banjoko meets a host of characters, including cheeky monkey Maliki, a kind but goofy giraffe named Gowon, a groovy zebra called Zalika and a very proud lion called Lutalo. 

Mixing classic nursery rhymes with traditional tales from the animals of the African Plain, five performers and two drummers will lead you through a lively journey filled with music, puppets, dancing, and plenty of interaction. Children are encouraged to dress up, if they wish, as their favourite animal.

Suitable for three years onwards, HOW LION BECAME KING OF TINGA TINGA LAND is touring UK theatres this autumn.  For more information and a tour schedule, click here. Find out more about the show on Facebook and Twitter.

All about this fab prize + how to enter

A family ticket, comprising either: 2 Adults + 2 children or 1 Adult + 3 Children, to any single performance on the tour is up for grabs. The winner will decide and it's subject to availability, so again, enter as soon as you can. Closing date is Thursday 13 September at 23pm. UPDATE: just realised that everybody will say the same thing now! So please leave your location, like, for instance: Hi from Warwickshire and the answer.

All you have to do is to answer this simple question: What is the name of the proud lion? Just leave a comment under this post with the answer. Winner will be picked at random. Please read the comp's T&C for more information.

Competition T&C 
1. This competition is open to residents of the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland aged 18 years or over, except for those associated with the production company, their families or anyone else associated with this competition.

2. All information detailing how to enter this competition forms part of these terms and conditions.

3. All entries must be received by the advertised closing time date.

4. One entrant shall win a family ticket comprising of either: 2 Adults & 2 Children or 1 Adult & 3 Children to a single performance on the UK Tour
5. The winner may be required to take part in publicity.
6. All prizes are non-transferable and there are no cash alternatives. The prize is subject to availability.
7. Events may occur that render the competition itself or the awarding of the prizes impossible due to reasons beyond the control of the Promoter, and accordingly the Promoter may at its absolute discretion vary or amend the promotion and the entrant agrees that no liability shall attach to the Promoter as a result thereof.
8. Ratracertohomeworkingparent is responsible for the first part of the promotion, which is the publication and adjudication of the competition. All other facilities connected with the provision of the prize are the responsibility of the Promoter.
9. English law applies and the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts shall prevail.