All Blog Posts

🏡 SAPPHIRE COTTAGE AT RIBBY HALL VILLAGE REVIEW – A RELAXING FAMILY STAY BY THE WATER

Our Sapphire Cottage at Ribby Hall Village review covers the bedrooms, family-friendly layout, peaceful lakeside setting, nearby wildlife and everything included during our relaxing family break.

A collage-style thumbnail for a family weekly update video featuring photos of a woman with her children, a Bluey live stage show, and Bluey-themed clothing and accessories. Purple paint-stroke text in the centre reads “Weekly Update 18th - 24th May 2026” with small camera and theatre mask icons on a pastel star-patterned background.

FAMILY WEEKLY UPDATE: 18th – 24th May | Bluey’s Big Play, Trafford Centre Shopping & Alice’s Sports Day

A fun family weekly update featuring Bluey’s Big Play at The Lowry, Trafford Centre shopping, holiday clothes hauls, Alice’s sports day and cosy family moments at home.

Diamond Cottage Ribby Hall Review | Family Stay at Ribby Hall Village

Planning a family stay at Ribby Hall Village? Here’s our honest review of staying in a Diamond Cottage, including the surprise hot tub upgrade, family-friendly facilities, Wild Discovery zoo, restaurants, and why it was perfect for our multi-generational family break near Blackpool.

BLUEY’S BIG PLAY AT THE LOWRY – A FUN-FILLED FAMILY THEATRE TRIP WITH THE KIDS 💙

We took Alice and Leo to see Bluey’s Big Play at The Lowry and had such a lovely family theatre trip. Read about the show, seats, merchandise and our day at the theatre.

A collage of kids in a play bus, actors holding hands on stage, a girl with a dog, and a boy in front of a colorful backdrop. Text: Weekly Update, 11th-17th May 2026.

FAMILY WEEKLY UPDATE: 11th – 17th May | Karate Kid The Musical, The Detective Dog & Trafford Centre Shopping

A family weekly update featuring theatre trips to The Karate Kid The Musical and The Detective Dog, Trafford Centre shopping, Disney finds in Primark and cosy family moments at home.

REVIEW: The Karate Kid The Musical at Palace Theatre Manchester – A Nostalgic & Feel-Good Theatre Trip

Read about our theatre trip to see The Karate Kid The Musical at Palace Theatre Manchester, including seat views, merchandise, choreography, performances and my thoughts on this nostalgic and uplifting stage adaptation

Men energetically perform with instruments in a pub. A guitar is prominent. Chairs and lights hang mid-air. Emotive, lively ambiance. "The Choir of Man" text.

REVIEW: The Choir of Man at Opera House Manchester – A Joyful Celebration Of Friendship, Music & Community

Our review of The Choir of Man at Manchester Opera House, including our theatre trip, seat views, merchandise prices, audience interaction, interval singalongs and why this unique musical left us wanting to see it again at The Lowry.

Collage with people at events; one holds a book, a group performs on stage, and a trio poses with a band. Text: Weekly Update 4th-10th May 2026.

FAMILY WEEKLY UPDATE: 4th – 10th May | Bank of Dave The Musical, Choir of Man & Trafford Centre Day Out

A busy family weekly update featuring theatre trips to Bank of Dave The Musical and The Choir of Man, Trafford Centre shopping, Paddington ticket booking and quieter family moments at home.

REVIEW: The Detective Dog at Z-arts Manchester – A Lovely Family Theatre Trip Full of Books, Puppetry and Interactive Fun 🐶📚

Our The Detective Dog review from Z-arts Manchester. Julia Donaldson’s beloved story is brought to life with puppetry, music, BSL, audience interaction and plenty of family-friendly fun.

Three people in front of a "Bank of Dave: The Musical" sign. Blue and yellow background with dollar bills floating. Mood is upbeat.

REVIEW: Bank of Dave: The Musical at The Lowry – Our Press Night Theatre Trip to the World Premiere

Bank of Dave: The Musical at The Lowry is a funny, heartfelt and proudly northern new British musical packed with humour, community spirit and memorable performances. Here’s what we thought of the world premiere production during our press night theatre trip.

Mug of tea, remote, and pink hot water bottle on cozy blanket. Amoxicillin, tissues, and water. Lightbox reads "Rest Recover Recharge."

FAMILY WEEKLY UPDATE: 27th April – 3rd May | Tooth Extraction, Recovery & A Slower Week

A quieter family weekly update sharing a difficult week recovering from a tooth extraction, dealing with dental problems and slowly starting to feel better by the weekend.

Boy holds a colorful cake with "Leo" text. Background: bright stripes. Other images show a barbecue, cupcakes, and a vibrant stage scene.

FAMILY WEEKLY UPDATE: 20th – 26th April | Super Mario Birthday Party Prep & Gabby’s Dollhouse Live

A busy family weekly update filled with Super Mario birthday party prep, themed treats, Cricut crafts, family birthdays and a special trip to Liverpool to see Gabby’s Dollhouse Live.

Family on stage in a theater, group in costumes posing, "Weekly Update 13th-19th April 2026" overlay, vibrant colors and joyful mood.

FAMILY WEEKLY UPDATE: 13th – 19th April | Zog, Matilda Backstage Tour, Legally Blonde & Easter Holiday Theatre Trips

Our second week of the Easter holidays was packed with family theatre trips including Zog, Matilda, Legally Blonde, Sisters 360, Mika and the Polar Bear and The Boy at the Back of the Class.

Blonde woman in pink fur coat holding a small dog, looks surprised with "Amber Davies as Elle Woods" and "Legally Blonde The Musical" text.

REVIEW: Legally Blonde The Musical UK Tour at Liverpool Empire – Revisiting One of My All-Time Favourite Musicals

Join me as I travel to Liverpool Empire for a solo theatre trip to see Legally Blonde The Musical UK Tour. From train travel and pre-show lunch to merch, seating and my full review, here’s why this beloved musical remains one of my all-time favourites.

Girl with cat ears and colorful cartoon kittens on stage. "Gabby's Dollhouse LIVE!" text in bold colors. Bright, playful mood.

Review: Gabby’s Dollhouse Live! at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena — A Magical Family Day Out as Part of Leo’s Birthday Treats

Join us for a magical family day out in Liverpool as part of Leo’s birthday treats as we travel to see Gabby’s Dollhouse Live! at the M&S Bank Arena. From train snacks and merchandise drama to rainbow-filled fun, here’s our full family review.

Person holding a plush polar bear, smiling, against a dark background. Text: "MIKA AND THE POLAR BEAR, a heartwarming winter tale for the whole family."

REVIEW: Mika and the Polar Bear at Z-arts Manchester – A Magical Family Theatre Trip Full of Hope, Puppetry and Wonder

Our Mika and the Polar Bear review at Z-arts Manchester – a magical family day out with stunning puppetry, meaningful storytelling and plenty of memorable moments for children.

Silhouette of a girl with hands on hips against a blue glowing background. Text reads "Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical" in white. Mood: empowering.

REVIEW: Matilda The Musical UK Tour at Manchester Palace Theatre – A Magical Family Theatre Trip

We finally got to take Alice to see Matilda The Musical UK Tour at Manchester Palace Theatre, and it was every bit as magical as we’d hoped. From fantastic performances and unforgettable songs to an incredible backstage tour, this was a family theatre trip we’ll treasure forever.

Boy with a red backpack facing away, text "The Boy at the Back of the Class," cityscape and clouds in the teal background, "Live on Stage."

REVIEW: The Boy at the Back of the Class at The Lowry | A Special Theatre Trip with Alice

We took Alice to see The Boy at the Back of the Class at The Lowry, and this powerful, heartfelt production made for a truly special theatre trip together.

Orange dragon holds a gold star on a blue background with stars. Text: Zog, based on Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler, live on stage.

REVIEW – Zog UK Tour: Our Family Trip to See Julia Donaldson’s Dragon Live

Our Zog UK tour review shares everything families need to know, from merch prices and booster seats to catchy songs, puppetry and why this dragon-sized adventure is worth seeing.

Two women in colorful winter hats look upward with hopeful expressions. Text: "Sisters 360: Hopes, hurdles and halfpipes."

REVIEW – Sisters 360 at Waterside Arts — A Fun, Feel-Good Family Theatre Trip with the Kids 🛹✨

A fun and uplifting family theatre trip to see Sisters 360 at Waterside Arts in Sale, with plenty of heart, humour and moments the kids absolutely loved.