6.24.2013

Grand Opening Hoopla for Edwardsville's Happy Up Inc!


Save the Date!
Join us on Saturday, June 29th, from 10am - 3pm while we raise a ruckus and celebrate our new name and new Edwardsville location!

We’re pretty close to having our plans finalized, and here’s what we have so far:
  • 10am - Origami Workshop with Mike Ridinger - fold, crease, and repeat to create delicate works of art.
  • 11am - Ribbon Cutting!  Official and serious people will handle sharp objects.
  • 12:30pm - Kindermusik mini-session with Ellen Singh - you know how much we love to hear our customers make beautiful music!  And by “beautiful”, we mean barely controlled chaotic noises. 
  • A Giant Perplexus puzzle ball will tie your puzzle skills in knots as you try to solve this massive brain teaser!

Thanks to toysaretools for the picture from the 2012 Toy Fair!
  • Representatives of Edwardsville Robotics will be demonstrating what they do.  They’re a new group in town and are active in the FLL (FIRST Lego League).
    You can find out more about them on their facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Edwardsville-Robotics/146725128836978
    And the FLL on their website here:  http://firstlegoleague.org/
  • The UCP Heartland Center for Autism will have a table set up with information on their program and special needs resources.  You can learn more about this group on their website here:  http://www.ucpheartland.org/services/illinois-services/ucph-center-for-autism
  • Shannon with Metamorphose Maternity will be demonstrating ways bigger kiddies can help care for their new baby brothers and sisters. you can learn more about Shannon on her website: http://www.metamorphosematernity.com/
  • Feeling a little peckish?  We’ve got truly delicious floats planned.  Thanks to Wang Gang soda and Annie’s frozen custard, we’re going to have a crazy sugar buzz going!
  • Give-aways and prizes all day long!

And of course, we'll have lots of toys and games open and ready for you (and the kiddos) to try out.  Our Do-Touch, Do-Play policy will be strictly enforced.  Giant Chicky will be keeping an eye on everyone and making sure this policy is not ignored.

So are you ready to help us celebrate?  Good!  See you on the 29th!

Our new location in Edwardsville is:
6654-A Edwardsville Crossing Dr.
Edwardsville, IL 62025
(618) 656-9596
 A map showing our new home is here:

6.12.2013

New! Certified Sibs Class for Soon-to-be Brothers & Sisters

Moms and Dads aren’t the only ones in the family who are “expecting”.  They aren’t the only ones feeling a little nervous, a little excited, and really overwhelmed.  The whole family is expecting when Momma is pregnant.  And that includes the older siblings.

We’re delighted to host a new monthly event for the kiddos who are waiting for new babies.  Certified Siblings is a Big Brothers and Super Sisters bootcamp for kiddos from 2 to 10 yrs old.  Designed to help answer all of those questions, give the kiddos some skills, and get everybody ready for the new arrival, this is a class you’ll be glad to take!

Led by Shannon Lawton-O’Boyle, Certified Sibs will answer important questions like:
What is baby trying to say by crying?
Can babies play?
Is diaper changing REALLY that bad/stinky/scary/gross?
How do I hold the baby?
How can I help out?  I’m just a kid/I'm too little...

These questions and more will be answered!  Each class lasts about two hours, giving each child plenty of attention and time to absorb the information provided.  It’s also very educational for the parents.  Quite often, with the support of the group, your child may reveal feelings and concerns you didn’t know were there.

We’ll have snacks and everyone gets to take home a gift!  Sound good?  Great!
The class fee is $15 for one child, $5 for each additional sibling.
Registration is required, but super easy!  Fill out the form and select which class date works for you.  Turn it in, along with your fee, at Happy Up in Edwardsville, IL.

Here’s a link to the registration form:  Certified Sibs Registration Form

The schedule of classes for the summer is:
June 19, 10am
July 17, 10am
August 14, 10am
All classes will be held at Happy Up Inc, Edwardsville (once upon a time we were Once Upon a Toy).  Happy Up is located at 6654-A Edwardsville Crossing Drive, Edwardsville IL, 62025.  We’ve moved, so here’s a link to a map showing our new location:  Our New Happy Up Home!

If you have any questions, feel free to call the playful peeps at the store!  (618) 656-9596

So who is the person in charge of the class?
Shannon is the smiling face of Metamorphose Maternity.  She is a certified doula, lamaze educator, and lactation counselor.  Her primary goal is to support expecting families, before and after delivery.  Through individualized services, Shannon works with families to make the experience of having a new baby a magical time.  She leads several groups, including “Milk and Bookies” at Afterwords Books, that give nursing moms the opportunity to network, learn, and share their experiences.

You can learn more about Shannon on her website: Metamorphose Maternity
She’s also on facebook:  Metamorphose Maternity's Facebook Page

6.08.2013

Giant Chicky Says "Come Play!"


It's been a week since we opened the doors to our new home in Edwardsville, IL.  We're getting settled in and have loved seeing everyone who has already been in to visit!

The decision to change locations wasn't easy--  but now that the hard labor and hard thinking is done, we're feeling really good.  It's a bright and open store, with enough room for all of the hijinks and silliness you expect from us.  So the address has changed, and our name has changed, but the reasons you love us remain!

So if you haven't visited yet, we can't wait to see you--  6654-A Edwardsville Crossing Drive, Edwardsville IL  62025

And here's a map to help you find your way (clicky to see a bigger version) --


Play on!