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Melody Monkeys Birthday Parties Hertfordshire
Joanne Lewis • 9 February 2020
Looking for a party entertainer in Herts? Read on...
I first met Sally who runs Melody Monkeys a few years ago when she was running weekly classes for pre-school children with special needs in Hertford and Cheshunt. It would often take my son 40 minutes to settle into baby music classes, by which time they were usually finishing, so the small numbers and Sally's calm but passionate demeanour worked so well for us, and quickly became the favourite hour of our week.
This year for our sons 4th birthday we decided to have a few friends from school over. We were thrilled to discover that Sally also offers bespoke parties. We didn't hesistate to book her while she had some space to fit us in as we knew she would be the perfect mix of party fun and warmth.
When Sally arrived, she briefly set up, and then gathered the children together sitting in a circle on the floor. I had gathered up all the cushions in the house for them to sit on, but this wasn't really necessary as they were jumping up and down for the entire party.
To get the children settled, in the way a support act opens for a comedien, Sally asked if anyone knew the song "wind the bobbin up" (which of course they all did) and then surprised us all with her own special version with altered tempo, unexpectedly fast then slow, and impossible to keep up with or predict. Within two minutes all the children were engrossed and the whole room, adults and children were laughing. I honestly don't know how she did it... so natural but such a skill.
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![Boy with beautiful curls being photographed at Hertford birthday party]()
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![Boy with beautiful curls taking part in party games being photographed at Hertford birthday party]()
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![Little girl enjoying party games being photographed at Hertford birthday party]()
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Birthday Sparks
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When I booked Sally, she sent me a form to complete... She offers specific superhero and princess themed parties throughout Hertfordshire, but even when just going for a standard party, she will try to work in your theme if possible. We had a lego cake, but on the form mentioned our son loves vehicles and construction... by the second song, Sally had already fed into this passion with a vehicles song, complete with little props of paper vehicles on lollypop sticks. My son's face was an absolute picture, he was already completely engrossed and having so much fun.
Sally seamlessly led this into a train song with a choo choo train whistle, and a conga line, led by the birthday boy. Walking in a tight circle, they adventured out of our party area into laps around the kitchen Island... I'm sure if you hired a hall this would be a really fun song exploring.
After all of the vehicle songs, out came the Parachute. I don't think a parachute ever fails to bring out smiles, joy and laughter. There was a crocodile, lion, flying birds and even a snow storm bouncing up and down on the parachute - but my favourite bit was when it actually rained inside (with the help of a fine mist spray bottle). The children were all allowed under the parachute too. It never ceases to amaze me just how wondrous sitting under a coloured piece of material can be.
Even as I write this, I find it hard to believe just how many activities were packed into a one hour birthday party with Melody Monkeys. The parachute games were followed by throwing coloured swatches into the air, and a bit of peek-a-boo. The Gruffalo made and appearance, as did good old baby shark (do-do-do, do-do-do), and a song accompanied by finger puppets, which I know from previous Melody Monkeys sessions is a staple and favourite.
A stretchy piece of material helped keep to theme with the introduction of construction vehicles being bounced high into the air, and regularly flying into the crowd and onto the floor met with rautious laughter from the kids. I tried my best to photograph this, but ended up with a lot of yellow blurs from the flying tractor, whilst simultaneously helping to lift the material with my other hand... maybe I should try less multi-tasking in the future?
Any party for toddlers and pre-schoolers wouldn't be complete without bubbles, with young, and youngest alike all enjoying the wonder of watching them float in the air and land in their hair.
To finish the party, Sally needed a dark room for disco lights, but with 4 meters of glass doors and a skylight, we weren't going to get much in our party room. Thinking on her feet, she suggested we move to the playroom which has curtains, and I've never seen the room look so magical... In fact I think as soon as I've finished writing this I will be heading online to buy some disco lights myself.
I can't thank Sally and all of our guests enough for braving the gale force winds to attend our birthday party today. Despite 3 power cuts during the party, the entertainment was unaffected (and thankfully the pizzas and hot dogs did get cooked - eventually).
If you'd like to attend melody monkeys weekly sessions
they run in Ware, Stansted Abbotts, Buntingford, Braughing and Hoddesdon. You can also book a bespoke birthday party throughout Hertfordshire, or even a princess and superhero themed party
- I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
Sally is my number one reccomendation for children with Special Needs
- she has a calm presence, puts no pressure on children to join in (but welcomes them naturally) and puts a fun spin on all the classics.
I photograph all sorts of events, including birthday parties
for all ages at a variety of locations throughout Hertfordshire, London, Essex and Cambridge - Here's an example from a recent first birthday party in Harlow. Or if you're looking to capture the milestones in a more relaxed setting, please check out my cake smash and splash
or find out more about studio sessions.
A picture of Santa and me...
... Buy one, Get one Free*
... a second print using the same photo for free*
... a mounted print of a photo she's created for me*
I couldn't let Black Friday 2020 go by without some amazing deals for my wonderful and valued customers... I've missed you all so much this year, but have loved the few shoots I was able to squeeze in between lockdowns and Home Education. With all the optimism I can muster for next year (I am naturally a pretty positive person) I am offering some spectacular deals on vouchers for my Hertford Studio and outdoor or on-location sessions next year (packages may be given as gifts, but please confirm preferred locations around Hertfordshire and some parts of London, Cambridgeshire and Essex with me before booking).
You will need: an egg box scissors black and white paint paint brush googly eyes glue (hot glue gun ideally) black felt tip pen string or ribbon for hanging
You will need: an egg box scissors white paint paint brush black felt tip pen or sharpie goggly eyes and glue (optional)
You will need: an egg box scissors Orange (or yellow and red) paint paint brush black felt tip pen or sharpie lollypop stick glue green paper/card for leaf
You will need: an egg box scissors black paint paint brush googly eyes glue Red paper/card for bow-tie White paper/card for shirt and teeth
You will need: an egg box scissors green and black paint (or I used a green egg box for the head) paint brush googly eyes glue black paper/card for hat orange paper/card for hair
