Ethan's 3rd birthday & Geronimo Family Festival

My little boy is not far from turning three. He's already started to wear 3-4 sized clothes, he's in preschool one (a fact of which he is very proud) and I'm already thinking of him as a three year old to be honest; not wishing the time away, but just because he's so grown up in so many ways.

With just six / seven weeks to go, I've started thinking about what to do for his birthday. Present wise, we are sorted as I went a little overboard before Christmas and realised that there was no way he needed so many gifts all at once.

I was the same with his first birthday, and again with his second birthday - I didn't know what to do, whether to hold one big party for little ones (of which we don't know very many - only through nursery now) and family and friends, like the first one, or keep it closer to home, like his second.

His birthday is a Thursday this year so I'm planning on doing something with friends the weekend before, something just the three of us on his birthday then I'm sure we'll have a family get-together the weekend after too. So many special people who want to celebrate with our special little boy!

The solution to the first part presented itself in the form of Geronimo family festival.

I've never been to a festival like this before but have seen so many other mums share their festival fun over the past couple of years and it looks like such a great way to spend a day.

Geronimo started last year at Tatton Park in Cheshire and this summer, it's going to be held at both Harewood House, just outside Leeds, from 1-2 May, as well as Tatton Park, 29-30 May - so, both Bank Holiday weekends are covered!

Two of our best friends live near Leeds so our whole group have invited ourselves to stay at theirs that weekend. And, even though one of them will be celebrating their birthday on 1st May, we're heading to Geronimo for a fun day out.

That's what godmothers and aunties are for!

In fact, they're almost as excited as Ethan about seeing the real life Mr Tumble...

There's an exciting range of things to see and do, for kids of all ages (even 32 year olds):

For the pre-schoolers:
For anyone 3ft and under, there is a great line-up of experiences tailored for the little ones including: The Tumble Tots Play area, Baby Ballet, Baby Massage, Soft Play, Baby Yoga, Little Tiddlers Soft Play and Moo Music.

Combined with live stage shows from TV favourites including: Justin Fletcher (on Sunday 1st May and Sunday 29th May dates only), Mr Bloom, Cook & Line from Swashbuckle, Andy Day and Alex Winters, Geronimites will be enthralled and entertained all day.

For 5-12 year olds:
A firm favourite at last year’s Geronimo festival, the Adrenaline Zone is a sure-fire hit for boys and girls who like a thrill. Featuring fencing, archery, zip lines, Mad Drop, Monkey Do, Parkour and Slack Lining.

The Live Circus Shows in the Geronimo Festival Circus Tent include live shows from Circus Fudge, with Circus Skills Workshops for budding performers. Visit the Aerial Trapeze show if you have a head for heights!

Geronimo’s theatre shows will engage and entertain with shows from Les Enfants Terrible, The Town Band of Bremen, Jedi Training, Pocket Story Theatre Company and John Campbell.

The Geronimo Arena is a must-see for all ages including: Falconry, jousting, motorcycle display teams, mountain bike show, sheep dog show, geese display and Cheshire dogs display team – all hosted by Dam Simpson from Fun Kids!

With much, more including:
Face Painting / Live Music / Victorian Fun Fair / Silent Disco / Baby Rave / Roller Rink
Drumming Workshops / Kidz Kitchen / Arts & Crafts / Boomchickkaboom
Crocodile Joe / Rent A Beast / Petting Farm / Den Building  / Graffiti Workshops
Camel Rides**  / Donkey Rides / Giant Tortoise / Ferret World
Zumba Classes / Bollywood Lessons / Science Made Simple / Clay Workshops
VIP Puppets / Junk Orchestra / Hair Braiding / Mask Making
Stone Carving / Cookery Classes / Henna Workshops / Forest School

I CAN NOT WAIT to see Ethan's face when Mr Tumble comes out and think he will be excited about Andy Day and his Dino Rap show, Cook and Line from Swashbuckle and the Frozen singalong in the Library Zone most of all.

It's going to be such a fun packed day - one day tickets are currently available for £25 each (under 2's are free), plus two day tickets are also available for £40 at the moment - and with two teacher friends in tow, I think we're all going to have as much fun as the (nearly) birthday boy.

More details are going to be announced soon, so I'll be sure to share these too and maybe we will see you there...?