GlasgowBaby’s been busy, busy, busy over Christmas, so apologies for the long silence. Back to business as usual today. If, like us, you’re wondering what to do with your wee’uns over the next few days until Hogmanay, here are a few ideas:

• Wrap up warm and head down to Winterfest Glasgow. There are parent-and-toddler sessions at the ice rink in George Square on Wednesday 30 December 12-1pm, and Sunday 3 January 10-11am. Kids skate for free, and they provide cute little penguins to give your kids some stability on the ice.
• If you want to escape from the cold, why not rediscover one of Glasgow’s many museums. Kelvingrove and the Transport Museum are obvious favourites, and have enough going on keep kids and parents interested over repeated visits. Alternatively, head to your local public library for a cosy cuddle with a book; most are open Monday to Thursday this week.
• For 3-year-olds+, Little Red Riding Hood is on at the Arches till Monday 3 January.
• Unleash your creativity at GOMA’s Winter Wonderland. A different activity is planned for every day this week, such as making patterned badges or a colourful lantern.

If you know of any other activities this week for ages 3 and under you’d like to share with Glasgow parents, please post a comment below!

There’s a special event, Baby’s First Christmas Gifts, at the Busy Bees Craft Studio this Sunday 6th December 2009. Decorate gift items with tiny hand and foot prints, perfect for Christmas gifts for aunties, uncles and grandparents. Busy Bees provide all materials, baby safe paints and aprons. Telephone or email to book.

Baby’s First Christmas Gifts
Busy Bees Craft Studio
82-84 Niddrie Road
Queens Park
GLASGOW
G42 8PU (Map).
Tel: 0141 433 9506
Email: info@busybeescraftstudio.com

For further information, visit the Busy Bees Craft Studio website.

Had a fantastic birthday party yesterday at An Clachan café in Kelvingrove Park for my son’s third birthday. As he was getting a bike for his birthday, we wanted a venue that would allow him to do a bit of cycling outdoors with his wee pals. Fortunately, the rain stayed off long enough for the kids to run around the play park and try out each other’s bikes before coming indoors for pass the parcel and cake. Barbara and her team at the café did a brilliant job: balloons, decorations, lovely scones, bacon sarnies, fruit bowls and a gorgeous sparkly chocolate cake with white vanilla icing. Yum. When we got home he announced it was the best party “ever and ever and ever”.

Just a reminder that the hugely popular NCT Nearly New Sale will be taking place tomorrow, 21 November 2009 from 1pm-3pm at Cleveden Secondary School. If you want to bag a bargain, my tip would be to get there early!

NCT Glasgow Winter Nearly New Sale
When: Saturday 21st November 2009, 1pm-3pm
Where: Cleveden Secondary School, 42 Cleveden Rd, Glasgow, G12 0JW‎.
Click here for a map.

A GlasgowBaby reader has sent in this fantastic review of Fifi & Ally on Wellington Street. Never mind the food, we can’t wait to check out their baby-changing facilities…

I thought I would e-mail as I recently had lunch with work friends in town at Fifi and Ally on Wellington Street.  I wasn’t expecting much tbh but they have a lovely baby changing area complete with a proper changing table and comfy mat (rather than the usual pull down table).  There were also supplies of nappies and wipes under it too.  I was very impressed.  Jamie loved the funky wallpaper in it too. Fifi and Ally was a favourite before and I’ll definitely take Jamie again.  As a bf-ing mum, I wasn’t made to feel uncomfortable or out of place at all either.  Brilliant!

Fifi & Ally
80 Wellington Street, Glasgow
Fifi & Ally website

If you have a favourite spot you’d like to share with other Glasgow mums and dads, then please send us an email with your review.

Kream are looking for mothers who use Nintendo Wii Fit to star in Nintendo’s New Year adverts:

We’re looking for eloquent, confident individuals who can shine in front of a camera and are keen users of the Nintendo Wii Fit. We’re particularly keen to find mums who have recently decided and been able to become more active through the use of the Wii Fit. If you’re interested, please download the attached questionnaire, to be completed and returned with a recent photo to filming@kreamlondon.com by Friday 20 November.  Tell us about yourself what you like and dislike as well as your Nintendo Wii Fit story – such as how often you use the console, why you started using it and if you’ve noticed any changes.

***NB Deadline extended to Wednesday 25 November***

Please note, we are unable to reply to every email so if you don’t hear from us please assume that on this occasion you haven’t been successful.

This is one of GlasgowBaby’s favourite parks. It has a brilliant and well-maintained play area with a number of different climbing frames, a huge curly slide which kept my 2-year-old entertained for ages, and loads of baby and open swings (so no whingeing at having to wait). There are also plenty of easy cycle/walking paths for a smooth ride in the buggy, or a scoot/trike/bike round, with spectacular views of mature woodland, rivers and waterfalls to keep your interest for hours. At the end of your scoot round, you can fuel up at the Boater’s Café, or have a rest at the Boating Pond.

Visit East Renfrewshire’s Tourist Information website for more details.

Get your dancing shoes on – Baby Loves Disco hits town this weekend! Bubble machines, baskets of instruments, a chill-out room (with tents, books and puzzles), healthy snacks, a bar for parents, and lots and lots of dancing. Suitable for kids aged from 6 months to 7 years.

Baby Loves Disco
Sunday 8th November 2009, 2pm-5pm
Tiger Tiger, The Glasshouse, Glassford Street, Glasgow, G1 1UL
£8 per ticket, non-walking babies free, buy tickets here

For further information, visit the Baby Loves Disco website.

The monthly nappuccino events are taking place this week. Get up to date on all things cloth-nappy-related over coffee and cake.

Thursday 5 November 2009
10.30am-12pm at The Beanscene, Clarkston Toll
1pm-2.30pm at The Beanscene, Woodlands.

There will be a Little Explorer Day at the Glasgow Science Centre this Wednesday, 4 November 2009. Designed for children aged 2-5, the theme for the day is “Animal Bites”. Examine teeth from different species, and compare the skulls of different animals and try to work out who eats what at an animal picnic. Sign-up activities last for 35-40 minutes, and they are available from 10am-1pm. £6.25 per child, and each child can bring one adult free of charge.

Little Explorer Day – Animal Bites
Glasgow Science Centre
50 Pacific Quay, Glasgow, G51 1EA
Pre-book your visit on 0141 420 5000.
Visit the GSC website for further details.