Valentine's at Hard Rock Café at Menlyn Park Shopping Centre

Entrance to Hard Rock Café at Menlyn Park Shopping Centre

February is the month of love. This sucker loves all the schmaltzy Valentine's hype. Menlyn Park Shopping Centre went all out with an unforgettable Valentine's Day experience for 100 lucky couples, with dinner and The Muses entertaining at Hard Rock Café on February 14th.

“This month is a very special time for Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, and we are thrilled to have offered such an amazing experience to our loyal customers. We always encourage families to spend time together and as part of this we wanted to be a special moment in celebrating their love for each other,” said. Olive Ndebele, General Manager at Menlyn Park Shopping Centre

Joburg has now The Kids Gym at Cedar Square

The Kids Gym

Who thought of a concept like this? The Kids Gym is now in Johannesburg as well, at Cedar Square in Fourways. It's a gym just for kids! My first reaction was to ask but why? Why would kids need their own gym? You have to go and see for yourself. The gym is fitted out with the latest high tech state-of-the art equipment for the young ones, while making sure that adult supervision is a constant while they are having fun. Miss Fine was immensely impressed, and I had to promise PROMISE to bring her again. The fee structure is very adaptable, and we can go for a once-off, or pay monthly and seasonal fees.

View from the parent's seating: The Kids Gym - on the treadmills

The Kids Gym is the answer for parents wanting to take their children to a non-competitive space that nurtures a love for physical activity, regardless of their ability. Replicating the model of a typical adults-only gym, The Kids Gym provides children from 18 months to 15 years with the opportunity to exercise and develop skills when it suits them in a fun, activity-oriented venue. The second branch (after Cape Town) of South Africa’s first dedicated children’s gym, seeks to encourage every child, no matter their physical or sporting ability, to be active and embrace exercise and fitness as a lifestyle option. Unlike the adult offering, The Kids Gym does not make use of weight training, instead focuses on the children learning to best utilize and control their own body weight through fun-filled, life-enhancing physical activities, all in a completely non-judgmental environment.

On-hand trainers at The Kids Gym

“Exercise and physical activity has the power to transform lives. As a national gymnastics coach and father of a daughter with a physical disability, I‘ve seen the transformation both emotionally and physically for children that exercise regularly,” says Glenn Joselowitz, co-owner of The Kids Gym and father to eight-year-old Emily, who serves as inspiration behind the idea.

There are different areas for different age groups, and Miss Fine had to test out the smaller kids area as well. 

The Kids Gym - cedar Square

Next time you will find me at The Ninja Bean Café which focuses on health-orientated drinks and organic and low-gi snacks. I can see many a weekend breakfast while Miss Fine gets rid of all her pent-up energies. Best of all, they are open 7 days a week.

Check out The Kids Gym for different classes as well as pricing options. Also, check out the party options!
Tel: 0106016444 email jhb@thekidsgym.co.za.

The Kids Gym - "Where Kids unmask their inner awesome"

Disclaimer: We were invited to the opening of The Kids Gym at Cedar Square last Tuesday. Thanks so much! 

We had the most epic date night, but now we have #parentguilt

We had an epic date night last night. We were invited to Menlyn to Hard Rock Café for a show featuring The Muses. Who can say no to that? It's Hard Rock Café, which we love, and it's THÉ Muses. It was perfect for Valentine's Day.

Last night: Instagram @karentoittoit - #MenlynSA #ValentinesDay (print screen)

We don't get to do date nights that much. It's the budget, and it's Miss Fine... Surely we should grab the opportunity when it presents itself?

Parenting before work - I high-fived myself

School drop-off selfie

Yesterday. It was one of those mornings. So many things had to happen, and it had to happen before 6:30 am. We had to be in the car by 6:05 am. Traffic is hectic again! It's February. Hubby did his share and made sure breakfast was ready at 5:55. He even ran after the car with my morning coffee. We were out of the gate at 6:07. Not bad! Thank you so much, Hubby! You are a star!

Aunty Merle The Musical - Top Notch

Aunty Merle (Marc Lottering character)

Joburg finally gets a chance to meet up with Aunty Merle from Belgravia Road, one of the oldest characters created by Marc Lottering.  She's all the hype and the SKINDER (gossip) worthy! Who does not know an aunt like her who knows everybody's business, and helps fixing where she can?

Aunty Merle the Musical is lots of laughs, some crying, family dynamics mixed with rich cultural diversities. Social commentary and politics are lightly interwoven, and we walk out of the Mandela Theatre with a beat in our step and a lighter look at our social political landscape. Four Fleur Du Cap Theatre nominations are well deserved.