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Mika and the Polar Bear – A Beautiful Family Day Out at Z-arts Manchester On Saturday 18th April, we were invited along to review Mika and the Polar Bear at Z-arts Manchester. As Lawrence was working, my brother joined me for this family theatre trip with the kids—and it turned out to be such a lovely afternoon from start to finish. My dad kindly dropped us off opposite the venue at around 1:30pm, giving us plenty of time before the 2pm performance. Z-arts is always such a welcoming venue for families, and even before the show started there were lots of thoughtful touches that helped make the day feel extra special. As soon as we arrived, the kids spotted the adorable ‘Today I Met the Bear’ polar bear photo board in the foyer, which of course meant an immediate photo opportunity. It was such a sweet little extra and instantly added to the excitement of the day. We then headed into the café area while we waited for the auditorium doors to open. While the children happily played with the little toy kitchen just outside the theatre doors, I had a quick look at the merchandise stand nearby. Merchandise The show’s merchandise offering was simple but lovely, with navy polar bear t-shirts available: Adult T-shirts: £20 Children’s T-shirts: £18 Although there wasn’t a huge selection, the t-shirts were really sweet and fit beautifully with the show’s theme. Taking Our Seats At 1:55pm, the auditorium doors opened and we headed inside. We were seated in Row A, seats 7–10, which gave us an excellent front-row central view of the stage. As we took our seats, the performance had already gently begun. A performer quietly lay writing on a beautiful circular rug beside a teddy bear, surrounded by softly lit icy set pieces. This pre-show moment was simple yet incredibly effective. It instantly created a calm, thoughtful atmosphere and helped draw us into Mika’s world before the story had even officially started. It felt intimate, immersive and set the tone beautifully for the emotional journey ahead. The Show Created with and for children aged 4–11 and their families, Mika and the Polar Bear is a beautifully imaginative dance-theatre production that combines contemporary dance, puppetry, digital animation and original music. The story follows Mika, whose world is turned upside down by climate disaster, sending them on an epic journey through changing landscapes where they encounter creatures across land, sea and sky before forming an unforgettable friendship with a lone polar bear. This is a joyful, hopeful story that gently introduces important themes like resilience, compassion, environmental awareness and connection in a way that feels completely accessible for younger audiences. Alice was absolutely transfixed throughout, while Leo watched wide-eyed as the story unfolded. And when the polar bear first appeared on stage, both children audibly gasped in awe—a moment that perfectly captured just how magical this production really is. Set, Puppetry and Atmosphere The production itself is visually stunning, using a minimalist set enhanced beautifully through digital animation, soft lighting and clever stage design. The icy set pieces, falling snow projections and immersive visual effects helped transform the stage into Mika’s ever-changing world, while the puppetry was truly exceptional. From playful sea creatures to the breathtaking polar bear itself, each puppet felt full of life and personality—but it was the polar bear that completely stole the show. Meet the Polar Bear Following the performance, children were invited to meet Mika and the polar bear puppet in the café area outside the auditorium. This was such a lovely addition to the overall experience, and for Alice—who absolutely loves puppets—it completely made her day. Getting to meet the puppet up close and take photos was such a memorable finishing touch. Exploring Z-arts After the Show While waiting for my dad to pick us up, we took the children downstairs to enjoy one of their favourite parts of Z-arts—the iconic big red bus play area. They absolutely love playing there whenever we visit, and it was the perfect way to round off such a lovely afternoon. Although we didn’t have time to visit the library on this trip, Z-arts really is such a fantastic venue for making theatre trips feel like full family experiences. Final Thoughts Mika and the Polar Bear at Z-arts was a truly magical family theatre experience. From the thoughtful pre-show details and beautifully engaging puppetry to the meaningful storytelling and unforgettable meet and greet, this felt like a carefully crafted experience designed with families in mind. It’s a gentle yet powerful production that balances important messages with genuine theatrical magic, creating something that feels both emotionally resonant and visually captivating. For us, the polar bear was undoubtedly the standout moment—and meeting it afterwards made an already wonderful day even more unforgettable. A heartwarming, visually stunning family theatre trip that perfectly blends hope, friendship and wonder. Further Information & Useful Links Mika and the Polar Bear has now completed its current UK tour, finishing at Z-arts. To keep up with future performances and follow the show’s journey, visit the official website. If you’d like to read our more detailed theatre-focused review of Mika and the Polar Bear, you can head over to our sister site, All About Theatre. If you’d like to find out more about upcoming shows, events and family activities at Z-arts, you can also visit the official Z-arts website. 🎥 Watch Our Visit in Weekly Vlog #450 If you’d like to see what we got up to during our family trip to see Mika and the Polar Bear, you can watch our visit in Weekly Vlog #450 below. Our theatre trip begins at 38:02 in the vlog, although the video also includes plenty of other family moments from our week. 🎭 At A Glance 📍 Venue: Z-arts, Manchester 📅 Date Visited: Saturday 18th April 2026 ⏰ Show Time: 2pm ⌛ Running Time: Approx. 1 hour 👶 Recommended Age: 4+ 🎟️ Ticket Prices: From £10 👕 Merchandise: Adult T-shirts: £20 Children’s T-shirts: £18 📸 Special Extras: ‘Today I Met the Bear’ photo board Post-show meet and greet with Mika & the Polar Bear 🚌 Extra Family Fun: Big red bus play area, children’s library, café and family activities at Z-arts ♿ Accessibility: Wheelchair spaces and essential companion seating available 🌍 Tour Status: Current UK tour now complete

Matilda The Musical UK Tour – Finally Taking Alice to See One of Our Favourite Family Musicals On Friday 17th April, Lawrence and I finally got to take Alice to see Matilda The Musical UK Tour at Manchester Palace Theatre, and honestly, this felt like such a special moment for us as a family. Lawrence and I have loved Matilda for years. We first saw the show on Broadway during our honeymoon in New York back in 2016, then again in London’s West End in 2024, and I had also recently seen this current touring production at the Liverpool Empire in December. For such a long time, I’d been saying how much I wanted to bring Alice to see Matilda, but with Manchester ticket prices being so expensive, it simply wasn’t something we could realistically afford. Thankfully, Richard Hurst, who is currently playing Miss Trunchbull on the UK tour, very kindly offered us his friends and family discount, meaning we were able to get best available seats for £35 each plus booking fees. He also incredibly generously offered to arrange a backstage tour for us after the show. It was such a thoughtful gesture and honestly made what was already shaping up to be an exciting family theatre trip feel even more special. As a parent, finally being able to share one of my all-time favourite musicals with Alice after wanting to for so long made this evening feel incredibly meaningful before we’d even taken our seats. Our Journey to Matilda The Musical UK Tour at Manchester Palace Theatre We got the tram into Manchester, getting off at St Peter’s Square before making the short walk up to Manchester Palace Theatre. On the way, we popped into Tesco to grab some drinks and popcorn for Alice, which definitely added to the excitement for her. When we arrived at the theatre, there was a small queue to get in, but everything moved smoothly with bag checks and ticket scanning. Our first stop once inside was the merch stand — and there was so much Matilda merchandise available. Alice absolutely loved the Plush Doll (£30) and really wanted it, but it was a little too pricey for us, especially considering how many plushies she already has at home! Still, she had so much fun browsing everything, and there were plenty of lovely options to choose from. Since I already had the programme from Liverpool and the cast was still the same, we decided to purchase the Souvenir Brochure (£12) instead, which ended up being the perfect keepsake. Full Merchandise List: Glitter Logo T-Shirt (Kids) – £22 R-E-V-O-L-T-I-N-G T-Shirt (Kids) – £22 Graphic Logo T-Shirt (Adults) – £28 / Kids – £22 Naughty T-Shirt (Adults) – £28 / Kids – £22 Badge Hoodie (Adults) – £55 / Kids – £45 Logo Keyring – £10 Charm Keyring – £15 Logo Magnet – £6 Naughty Magnet – £6 Logo Lapel Pin – £8 Matilda Silhouette Lapel Pin – £8 Button Badge Set – £6 Beaded Bracelet Set – £15 Tea Towel – £10 Pencil Case – £12 Eraser Set – £6 Swing Tote Bag – £15 Socks – £14 Maggots Mug – £15 Plush Doll – £30 Ornament – £16 Satchel – £45 Souvenir Brochure – £12 London Cast Recording CD – £15 Paperback Novel – £8 After browsing the merch, we stopped for some fun selfies at the photo opportunity before heading down to the stalls. Our Seats at Manchester Palace Theatre We were seated in Row B, Seats 9–11 in the stalls, slightly to the side, with Seat 9 being the far-right aisle seat. Although we did miss a tiny amount of action on the far-right side of the stage, it was very minimal and really didn’t impact our enjoyment. We’d happily sit here again, especially with how close we were to the stage. There was also great legroom, which is always appreciated, and we picked up a booster seat for Alice near the toilets on the way to our seats, which really helped her get an even better view. Alice’s First Time Seeing Matilda The Musical UK Tour Seeing Alice experience Matilda for the first time honestly made this whole trip feel extra special. She was completely engaged from the start and absolutely loved seeing one of our favourite musicals brought to life in front of her. One moment that had her laughing out loud was when Miss Trunchbull ended up with a newt in her knickers — she thought this was absolutely hilarious and couldn’t stop giggling. Watching her enjoy those iconic moments that Lawrence and I have loved for years genuinely made the whole evening feel even more magical. The Story of Matilda The Musical Matilda The Musical tells the story of Matilda Wormwood, an extraordinary little girl with an extraordinary mind. Intelligent, curious, and fiercely independent, Matilda grows up in a family that completely overlooks her gifts. At school, she faces the terrifying Miss Trunchbull, but she also discovers kindness, courage, and support through Miss Honey, books, and her own vivid imagination. It’s a story that beautifully balances humour, heart, and resilience, with powerful themes about standing up for yourself and finding your voice. Set Design, Music & Choreography One of the things we’ve always loved most about Matilda is just how imaginative the production feels, and this touring version was every bit as impressive as we’d remembered. The towering bookshelves, oversized alphabet blocks, and constantly shifting classroom scenes really bring Matilda’s world to life in such a playful and visually exciting way. Everything feels clever, colourful, and full of theatrical magic, while still perfectly capturing both the darker and more emotional moments of the story too. Tim Minchin’s songs remain as witty, catchy, and emotional as ever, and Peter Darling’s choreography is incredibly sharp — especially during the classroom scenes, which continue to be some of the biggest highlights of the show. Performances The cast really were fantastic. The young performer playing Matilda delivered such a confident, natural performance, and she really captured Matilda’s intelligence, bravery, and determination beautifully. Tessa Kadler was wonderfully warm as Miss Honey, bringing so much kindness and emotional heart to the role. Richard Hurst was genuinely phenomenal as Miss Trunchbull and, without question, the best Trunchbull we’ve personally seen. He was hilarious, intimidating, and completely commanding every time he stepped on stage. Adam Stafford and Rebecca Thornhill brought so much humour to Mr and Mrs Wormwood, fully embracing their wonderfully ridiculous personalities. The child ensemble were also incredibly impressive throughout, bringing so much energy and professionalism to what is clearly a very demanding production. Backstage Tour with Richard Hurst After the show, we waited by the stage where Richard Hurst’s dresser kindly came to collect us and took us to his dressing room before our backstage tour began. Meeting Richard was such a lovely experience. He was incredibly kind, generous with his time, and so wonderful with Alice. We had a lovely little chat together, and Alice was very excited to tell him one of her jokes. After spending some time in his dressing room, Richard then personally took us backstage and showed us around, which honestly felt like such a surreal experience. We got to see so many incredible behind-the-scenes details, including Trunchbull’s desk, her famous magnifying glass, wigs, quick-change areas, children’s costumes, the slide, and of course the iconic blackboard. Richard even explained how the famous blackboard writing trick works, which was absolutely fascinating. For Alice, getting to hold Trunchbull’s magnifying glass was such a fun moment, and being able to stand on the stage itself for a photo with Richard, looking out at all the theatre seats, was something I know we’ll never forget. Before we left, Richard also signed Alice’s souvenir brochure, making an already unforgettable evening feel even more special. It truly was such an incredible experience and one we’ll treasure forever. By the time we finally got home, it was nearly 11:30pm — way past bedtime — but thankfully Alice didn’t have school the next morning! Final Thoughts on Matilda The Musical UK Tour Review Matilda The Musical UK Tour was everything we hoped it would be and more. From finally getting to share one of our all-time favourite musicals with Alice, to the brilliant performances, unforgettable music, stunning staging, and once-in-a-lifetime backstage experience, this was such an incredibly special evening for our family. Seeing Alice so completely captivated by a show Lawrence and I have loved for years made the whole experience feel even more special, and honestly, watching her laugh, sing along, and fully immerse herself in the magic of Matilda was something I’ll treasure forever as a parent. It’s clever, funny, heartfelt, and visually spectacular, and it remains one of the very best family musicals out there. If you’ve been thinking about taking your children to see Matilda, we’d absolutely recommend it. Bright, bold, and full of heart, Matilda The Musical remains a wonderfully entertaining family favourite and a truly magical theatre experience. Further Information & Tour Dates Matilda The Musical will be at The Palace Theatre Manchester until Saturday 25th April 2026. Tickets are available to purchase through The ATG Tickets website. If you can’t make it to Manchester, the good news is that Matilda is continuing its UK tour until January 2027. You can find more information, including upcoming venues and tour dates, on the show’s official website. If you’d like to read our more detailed theatre-focused review of The Matilda UK Tour, you can head over to our sister site, All About Theatre. 🎥 Watch Our Visit in Weekly Vlog #450 If you’d like to see what we got up to during our visit to see Matilda The Musical, you can watch it in Weekly Vlog #450 below. Our trip to the show begins at 30:05 in the video, although the vlog also includes some other family moments from our week. At a Glance 📍 Venue: Manchester Palace Theatre 📅 Date Visited: Friday 17th April ⏱️ Runtime: Approx. 2 hours 35 minutes (including interval) ☕ Interval: 20 minutes 👧 Age Guidance: 6+ 🎟️ Our Seats: Stalls Row B, Seats 9–11 💷 Ticket Price Paid: £35 each + booking fee (friends & family discount) 🪑 Booster Seats Available: Yes 🛍️ Merchandise Purchased: Souvenir Brochure (£12) 👨‍👩‍👧 Family Friendly: Absolutely Watch The Trailer

Our Trip to The Boy at the Back of the Class at The Lowry When The Boy at the Back of the Class at The Lowry first toured in 2024, I remember leaving the theatre feeling incredibly moved by its heartfelt story and powerful message. I had always hoped that if it returned, I’d be able to bring my daughter Alice along—and thankfully, that’s exactly what happened this time. On Wednesday 15th April, Alice (8), my brother and I headed to The Lowry for the 7pm performance, excited for a special evening out together. As always, my dad dropped us off at our usual spot opposite the Imperial War Museum North, and we made our familiar walk across the bridge towards The Lowry. We arrived at around 6.40pm, giving us plenty of time to collect our tickets and settle in before the show. Arrival, Programmes & Seating at The Lowry Before heading into the auditorium, I stopped by the box office to collect my programme, which cost £6 and is also available from the programme stand. We were seated in the stalls, Row O, seats 26–28, and I have to say these seats were excellent. They offered a fantastic central view with plenty of leg room, and we were positioned at just the right distance from the stage to comfortably take in the full production. Alice decided she wanted a booster seat, which are usually available near the side doors in the stalls, but as none were left, I had to head to the cloakroom opposite the stalls toilets to request one instead. Once we were all settled, Alice was more than ready for the show to begin. The Boy at the Back of the Class at The Lowry – Our Thoughts Having seen the production before, I already knew just how emotional and impactful this story could be—but seeing it again with Alice made it feel even more special. The story follows Ahmet, a young refugee starting school in England, and the classmates determined to help him feel welcome. From the moment the show began, Alice was completely engrossed. She was totally transfixed by the stage throughout, following the story closely and clearly connecting with the characters. By the interval, she was already telling me how much she was enjoying it, especially how kind the children were being to Ahmet. It was genuinely lovely to see how strongly the themes of kindness, friendship and empathy resonated with her. Interval Ice Cream & Audience Experience The first act ran for around 50 minutes, followed by a 20-minute interval. During the break, Alice was very keen for ice cream, but with the concession stand closed, we had to join the much longer queues at the main bar instead. After a bit of a wait, we all enjoyed ice creams before heading back to our seats for the second act. While the queues were definitely busy, it was still a lovely little part of the theatre trip and gave us a chance to chat about how much we were already enjoying the show. Final Thoughts on The Boy at the Back of the Class at The Lowry The Boy at the Back of the Class at The Lowry remains every bit as moving, powerful and relevant as I remembered. It’s a beautifully told production that introduces important topics to younger audiences in an accessible and compassionate way, while still delivering an engaging and emotional experience for adults too. Watching Alice become so invested in the story made this visit especially memorable, and it completely confirmed why I had wanted to bring her when the show returned. This is exactly the kind of theatre that sparks important conversations while still feeling warm, entertaining and full of heart. If you’re looking for a meaningful theatre trip with older children, this is absolutely one to consider. Further Information & Tour Dates The Boy at the Back of the Class will be at The Lowry until Saturday 18th April 2026. Tickets are available to purchase through The Lowry website. If you can’t make it to Salford, the good news is that The Boy at the Back of the Class is continuing its UK tour until the end of May 2026. You can find more information, including upcoming venues and tour dates, on the show’s official website. If you’d like to read our more detailed theatre-focused review of The Boy at the Back of the Class, you can head over to our sister site, All About Theatre. 🎥 Watch Our Visit in Weekly Vlog #450 If you’d like to see what we got up to during our visit to see The Boy at the Back of the Class at The Lowry, you can watch it in Weekly Vlog #450 below. Our trip to the show begins at 11:30 in the video, although the vlog also includes some other family moments from our week. 🎭 At A Glance 📍 Venue: The Lowry, Salford Quays 📅 Dates: Until 18 April 🎟️ Tickets: From £15 via The Lowry website 💺 Seats: Stalls Row O (excellent central view) 🪑 Booster Seats: Available for younger children 📖 Programme: £6 🍦 Ice Cream: Approx. £3 each ⏱️ Running Time: Approx. 2 hours including interval 👧 Recommended Age: 7+ 🚋 Getting There: Easily accessible by tram, bus or car. Nearby parking is available at Quayside MediaCityUK. 🌍 UK Tour: Touring until the end of May 2026 🔗 Official Website: Visit the official show website for full tour dates and information. *Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review. Watch The Trailer

Family Weekly Update This week felt like a really lovely mix of theatre trips, family time and slower days at home. With it being the Easter holidays, the days felt a little more relaxed (even if still busy in their own way), and we managed to fit in some really nice moments together. Here’s everything we got up to this week. 🎬 Editing, Blogging & A Productive Start Monday was a fairly productive day, and I spent most of it editing the weekly vlog and writing up the weekly update blog post to go alongside it. It always feels good getting everything finished and uploaded, especially when it all goes live together as planned. 🎭 A Theatre Night with My Mum – Inspector Morse On Tuesday, I spent the day at home catching up on housework and spending time with the kids, making the most of the Easter holidays. In the evening, my mum and I headed to The Lowry to see Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts , and it ended up being such a lovely midweek theatre trip. We did our usual walk across from near the Imperial War Museum North, which is always one of my favourite parts of going to The Lowry — especially when the evenings are still light. The show itself was a really engaging mystery, full of twists and moments that kept you guessing. It’s one of those shows where you find yourself constantly trying to work everything out, and we had so much to talk about during the interval. It felt quite dialogue-heavy at times, but overall it was still really enjoyable and definitely one that keeps your attention from start to finish. 👉 You can read more about our visit and a short review HERE 👉 And you can find my full review on All About Theatre   When I got home, I wrote up my review before heading to bed. 🐄 A Lovely Morning Theatre Trip with the Kids Wednesday started with a really special little milestone — Leo lost his first tooth! 🦷✨ It was such a lovely moment and he was so excited (and very proud of himself too!). After that, while Lawrence was at work, I took the kids to see A Squash and a Squeeze  at Waterside Arts in Sale, and it was such a lovely, easy morning out. From the moment we arrived, the whole experience felt really relaxed and family-friendly. The kids spent some time drawing and looking at books before the show, which was such a nice way to settle in. The show itself was brilliant for little ones — really imaginative, full of puppetry and simple storytelling that kept them completely engaged. There was a lovely mix of music, movement and interaction, and both Alice and Leo had their favourite moments. After the show, we went to see Lawrence at work, and the kids were very excited to find the last Pokémon toy in the shop — even better that it was half price! We then headed to KFC for lunch before getting the tram home. Once we got back, I wrote up my review and created a reel to go with it. 👉 You can read more about our visit and a short review HERE 👉 And you can find my full review on All About Theatre   🎬 Cinema Trip & A Bit of Chaos Along the Way Thursday started with a very excited Leo, who had discovered that the tooth fairy had visited overnight and left him a £1 coin under his pillow 🥰 Later that day, we headed into Manchester to watch the Mario movie together. My brother came with us, which made it feel like even more of a little family trip. Getting there was a bit chaotic as the ticket machines at the tram stops weren’t working, so we had to just get on and sort it when we arrived — luckily the staff were really helpful and got it sorted for us. At the cinema, the kids were very excited about snacks. My brother treated Alice to a Mario popcorn tin, and Leo to a Mario cup, which they both loved. Leo had also brought his Yoshi popcorn bucket that his Uncle Andrew had bought him, but as he doesn’t like popcorn, he filled it with a bag of his Easter mini eggs instead — which I thought was such a cute idea! We all really enjoyed the film — it was such a fun, easy watch for the whole family. When we got home, I wasn’t feeling great and ended up having a nap as I had a sore throat and felt really run down. 🤒 A Slower Day at Home Friday ended up being a much slower day as I still wasn’t feeling well. I had a sore throat and mouth ulcers, so we spent the day on the sofa watching films together. It turned into one of those cosy days at home, which, even though unplanned, are sometimes exactly what you need. 🍫 Baking & Feeling Better By Saturday, I was starting to feel a bit better, and the kids and I made some more Mars Bar cornflake cakes. We’d made them for the first time for our Easter party, and as we still had some cornflakes left (and everyone had really enjoyed them!), we decided to make another batch. It was nice to get back to doing something together again after a quieter day. 🌿 Garden Time, Editing & A Relaxed End to the Week On Sunday, Lawrence was off work, so he spent time in the garden playing with the kids while I caught up on editing and writing blog posts. Later in the day, the kids and I made the pink lemonade we didn’t get round to making for our Easter party, which felt like a nice little way to round off the week. 🎥 Watch Our Weekly Vlog If you’d like to see everything we got up to this week, you can watch this week’s family weekly update vlog  below — including our theatre trips, family days out and Easter holiday moments.

🥕 Carrot Hot Dogs (Easy Easter Puff Pastry Recipe for Kids) Looking for a fun and easy Easter food idea that kids will actually eat? These Carrot Hot Dogs  are the perfect addition to any Easter party table! Made with hot dogs wrapped in puff pastry and brushed with a paprika egg wash for that golden “carrot” colour, they’re finished with baby spinach leaves to create the cutest little carrot tops. Simple, fun, and perfect for picky eaters. We served these at our Easter party and they were such a hit with the children! 🥕 Why You’ll Love These Carrot Hot Dogs Super easy to make Uses simple ingredients Perfect for picky eaters Fun and themed for Easter Great for parties or lunch ideas ⚡ Quick Tips ✔ Add paprika to your egg wash for that carrot colour ✔ Slightly overlap pastry when wrapping for the best shape ✔ Add spinach leaves after baking so they stay fresh ✔ Serve warm for the best texture 🛒 Ingredients Hot dogs Ready rolled puff pastry 1 egg 1 tablespoon water Paprika Baby spinach leaves 👩‍🍳 How to Make Carrot Hot Dogs Line a baking tray with greaseproof or baking paper. Take the puff pastry out of the box and let it rest at room temperature for 10 minutes before unrolling. Unroll the pastry and cut it into vertical strips using a pizza cutter. Wrap each hot dog with the pastry strips, slightly overlapping as you go to create a carrot-like shape. Place the wrapped hot dogs onto the lined baking tray. Make an egg wash by beating 1 egg with 1 tablespoon of water, then add a small amount of paprika and mix until it turns a warm orange colour. Brush the egg wash over the pastry using a pastry brush. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 20 minutes, or until golden. Remove from the oven and carefully add baby spinach leaves to the top of each one to create the carrot effect. Serve warm and enjoy! 🍽️ Tips for the Best Carrot Hot Dogs 🧊 Let the pastry rest before unrolling This makes it easier to handle and helps prevent cracking. 🔪 Cut even pastry strips Keeping the strips similar in width helps them cook evenly and gives a neater finish. 🌀 Wrap snugly without stretching The pastry should sit neatly around the hot dog without being pulled too tight, so it puffs properly in the oven. 🌶️ Adjust paprika to suit your colour Start with a small amount and build gradually to get the shade you like. 🔥 Rotate your tray if needed Turning the tray halfway through baking can help everything cook evenly. ⏱️ Look for a golden finish The pastry should be puffed and lightly golden when ready. 🥬 Use smaller spinach leaves They look more like carrot tops and are easier to place neatly. 🍴 Best served fresh The pastry is at its flakiest and most enjoyable straight from the oven. 🎉 Perfect For… Easter parties Kids’ lunch ideas Buffet tables Spring gatherings Themed food platters ✨ Final Thoughts These Carrot Hot Dogs  are such a simple idea but look so effective on a party table. They’re fun, festive, and guaranteed to be a hit with kids (and adults too!). “A simple hot dog transformed into a fun Easter treat that little ones will love!” 🥕

Looking for a fun and easy St Patrick’s Day food idea that even picky eaters will love? These Shamrock Hot Dogs  are the perfect festive snack! Made with simple ingredients like hot dogs and ready-rolled puff pastry, these cute little treats are wrapped and topped with a green pastry shamrock for a fun seasonal twist. They’re ideal for parties, after-school snacks, or a themed family movie night. 🍀 Why You’ll Love These Shamrock Hot Dogs Super quick and easy to make Uses just a few simple ingredients Perfect for fussy eaters (hello hot dogs + pastry!) Great for St Patrick’s Day parties Fun to make with kids 🛒 Ingredients Hot dogs Ready rolled puff pastry 1 egg Green Gel food colouring 👩‍🍳 How to Make Shamrock Hot Dogs Line a baking tray with greaseproof or baking paper. Take the puff pastry out of the box and let it rest at room temperature for 10 minutes before unrolling. Unroll the pastry and cut off a strip large enough to cut out 8 small shamrocks using a shamrock cutter. Use a toothpick to add a small amount of green gel food colouring to the cut-off pastry. Knead gently to mix the colour, being careful not to overwork the pastry. Make sure to use gel food colouring rather than liquid, as liquid can make the pastry too wet and sticky to roll out properly. Roll the coloured pastry out with a rolling pin, adding a little plain flour if needed to stop it sticking. Cut out 8 shamrocks. Cut the remaining pastry into vertical strips using a pizza cutter. Wrap each hot dog with two strips of pastry and place them on a lined baking tray. Add one shamrock to the centre of each wrapped hot dog. Make a green egg wash by beating 1 egg with 1 tablespoon of water, then mixing in a small amount of green food colouring. Brush the egg wash over the pastry using a pastry brush. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve warm. 🍽️ Tips for the Best Shamrock Hot Dogs Let the pastry rest before unrolling Giving it 10 minutes at room temperature helps prevent cracking and makes it much easier to work with. Use gel food colouring, not liquid Gel colouring keeps the pastry easy to work with, whereas liquid food colouring can make it too wet and sticky to roll out properly. Use a toothpick for the colouring This helps you control how much gel you add so the pastry doesn’t become too soft. Don’t overwork the pastry When kneading in the colour, try to handle the pastry as little as possible so it still puffs up nicely in the oven. Lightly flour your surface If your pastry starts to stick when rolling out the coloured section, add a small dusting of plain flour. Keep an eye on them in the oven Every oven is slightly different, so check towards the end of cooking to make sure they’re golden and not overdone. Serve warm for the best results These taste best fresh out of the oven when the pastry is golden, flaky and crisp. Perfect for picky eaters If your little ones love hot dogs, this is a really easy way to make them feel fun and special without changing the food they already enjoy. 🎉 Perfect For… St Patrick’s Day parties Kids’ lunches or snacks Family movie nights Quick party food for fussy eaters ✨ Final Thoughts These Shamrock Hot Dogs  are one of those simple ideas that turn into something really special. They’re fun, festive, and guaranteed to be a hit with kids (and adults too!). “A little twist of pastry and a touch of green magic turns a simple hot dog into a lucky St Patrick’s Day treat!” 🍀

Chocolate Pretzel Nests Recipe If you’re looking for a super easy Easter treat that the kids can help make (and actually enjoy eating too!), these Chocolate Pretzel Nests are such a fun one to try. We made these as a little Easter activity at home and they were a huge hit. I love that they’re a bit different from the usual cereal nests—the pretzels give them that sweet and salty combo, plus a lovely crunchy texture that makes them extra moreish. They’re also completely no-bake, quick to put together, and perfect if you want something simple but still really cute for Easter 🐰 🛒 Ingredients (Makes 12) 100g pretzel sticks 200g milk chocolate 24–36 mini eggs 🍫 Method Line a cupcake tray with cupcake cases. Place the pretzel sticks into a bowl and break them up into smaller pieces. Break up the chocolate and place it in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 20-second bursts , stirring after each burst until fully melted and smooth. Pour the melted chocolate over the pretzels and mix well until all the pretzels are fully coated. Spoon the mixture evenly into the cupcake cases. Add 2–3 mini eggs on top of each nest. Place in the fridge for around 15 minutes  to set, and then they are ready 🐰 How We Served Them You can leave these in the cupcake cases, but I actually prefer to remove them once they’ve set —they look much more like little nests this way, which makes them extra fun for Easter. They’re perfect for: Easter parties After-school treats Adding to an Easter basket A quick baking activity with the kids 💡 Top Tips Break the pretzels quite small so the nests hold together nicely. Don’t overheat the chocolate—short bursts are key! You can swap milk chocolate for dark or white chocolate depending on what you prefer. Store in the fridge if your kitchen is warm so they keep their shape. ✨ Why We Love This Recipe This is one of those recipes that feels like a win all round—quick, easy, minimal mess, and the kids can get really involved (especially adding the mini eggs on top!). And honestly… that sweet and salty combo? So good.

Family-Friendly Easter Recipe: Mars Bar Cornflake Nest Cakes If you’re looking for a super easy, no-bake Easter treat that the kids will absolutely love, these Mars Bar Cornflake Nest Cakes are always a winner in our house. They’re quick to make, require just a handful of ingredients, and are perfect for getting little hands involved in the kitchen. We usually make our Easter nest cakes with Rice Krispies, but this year we decided to try them with cornflakes instead — and they turned out so well. 🛒 Ingredients 200g cornflakes 6 Mars Bars (or non-branded alternative like Aldi Titan bars) 70g unsalted butter 3 tablespoons golden syrup 1 bag of mini eggs (or non-branded alternative) 🍫 Method Line a cupcake tray with cupcake cases. Chop the Mars Bars into small pieces so they melt more easily. In a pan on the hob, gently melt the butter. Add the golden syrup and Mars Bars to the pan. Stir continuously until everything is fully melted and smooth. Place the cornflakes into a large mixing bowl. Pour the melted mixture over the cornflakes. Mix well until all the cornflakes are evenly coated. Spoon the mixture into the cupcake cases. Add 2–3 mini eggs on top of each nest. Place in the fridge for around 15 minutes to set. 👩‍🍳 Makes Up to 24 cornflake nest cakes 💡 Top Tips for Making Cornflake Nests with Kids Let the mixture cool slightly before mixing with cornflakes if little ones are helping Great for sensory play – mixing and decorating is always a hit with kids Perfect for Easter parties, school treats, or a fun afternoon activity You can swap mini eggs for chocolate buttons, sprinkles, or even raisins 🐰 Why We Love This Recipe These Mars Bar Cornflake Nest Cakes  are one of those recipes that feel like a proper childhood classic. They’re quick, mess-friendly (well… mostly 😅), and ideal if you want something fun without spending hours baking. They’re also a great option if you’re juggling a busy week but still want to do something special with the kids. ✨ Final Thoughts Simple, chocolatey, and always a hit — these little nests are the kind of treat that turn an ordinary afternoon into something a bit more magical. .. A crunchy, gooey, chocolatey Easter treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat! 🐣🍫

Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos Exhibition at the Science and Industry Museum Manchester – An Out-of-This-World FAMILY SPACE ADVENTURE 🪐 We visited the Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos  exhibition at the Science and Industry Museum Manchester on Tuesday 17th February, and it turned out to be such a fun, interactive family day out. We had booked the 1:45pm time slot and paid £32 for a family ticket. In the end, we spent just over an hour exploring, which felt like the perfect amount of time to see everything without it becoming too much for the kids. From the moment we arrived, everything felt really well organised. After showing our tickets at the desk, we were directed round the corner to a waiting area. Opposite the desk there was an accessibility hub with ear defenders and other items available to borrow if needed, which I thought was such a thoughtful touch. There was also a buggy park in the waiting area, which makes things much easier if you’re visiting with younger children. In front of the doors, there was a countdown screen showing when the next session would begin. It’s such a simple idea, but it really builds excitement while you wait. As soon as it reached zero, the doors opened and we were let in together. Even though our time slot — and most of the others that day — were sold out, it never felt overcrowded. There was plenty of space to move around, we didn’t feel rushed at all, and we rarely had to wait long to try anything. That made a huge difference and meant we could just enjoy it at our own pace. 🚀 Blast Off: Stepping Into Dr Big Brain’s World As soon as you enter, you’re welcomed by a short video that introduces Dr Big Brain and sets the tone for the whole experience. It immediately makes the exhibition feel more like an adventure rather than just a series of displays. From that point on, you’re moving through different space-themed zones, all connected by the story and characters from the BBC Horrible Science  series. The kids really responded to this — it gave everything a bit more purpose and made it feel like they were part of something rather than just walking around looking at things. 🌟 Alice & Leo’s Favourite Bits There was so much to see and do throughout the exhibition, and the fact that it’s so hands-on really keeps children engaged. Some of the biggest highlights for us were seeing the real space toilet from the Soyuz-Mir spacecraft, touching a real piece of the Moon, and learning how astronauts eat, sleep and train in space. Both kids thought taking a selfie on the space toilet was absolutely hilarious — definitely one of those moments that really stuck with them. Alice also loved dressing up as an astronaut earlier in the exhibition, while Leo was more interested in the interactive challenges and moving between the different activities. The rover activity was another standout. Programming it to move across the crater was such a fun way to introduce problem-solving, and it didn’t feel like learning at all — just play. There were also lots of sensory elements throughout, which made it feel really immersive. There’s always something to press, move, listen to or try, so it never feels like you’re just walking around reading information. 🌌 From Astronauts to Alien Worlds The exhibition is set out as a journey through different parts of the Solar System, and each section feels slightly different as you move through it. Some areas are bright and energetic, while others are darker and a bit more atmospheric, especially as you move towards the deeper space sections. It keeps things interesting and stops it from feeling repetitive. I also liked that there were quieter moments mixed in with the more interactive areas. Spaces like the cosy crater give children a chance to slow down for a minute before moving on again. Despite it being a busy day, the layout meant it never felt stressful or overwhelming. There was always enough space around each activity, and you could easily move around without feeling like you were in anyone’s way. 🪩 The Grand Finale: Disco Planet & Dress-Up Fun At the end of the exhibition, there’s another short video before you move into the final room — Party Planet. This space has a big screen, music, and silver astronaut costumes and wigs for children to dress up in. It’s a really fun way to end the experience and feels quite high-energy compared to some of the earlier sections. By this point Alice and Leo were starting to get a bit tired, so they didn’t want to dress up, but I can imagine this being a big highlight for lots of children. After that, you exit by the gift shop. Alice chose a robot arm and Leo picked a little Earth plush, both £6.99, and they were really happy with their choices. 💭 Would We Recommend It? Definitely. Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos  is one of those exhibitions that gets the balance just right. It’s educational without feeling heavy, interactive without being overwhelming, and genuinely fun for both children and adults. There’s so much to do, and the mix of real space artefacts, hands-on activities, humour and sensory elements makes it feel really memorable. If your children enjoy space, science, dressing up or interactive play, this is absolutely worth a visit. A brilliantly bonkers space adventure that makes science feel hands-on, exciting and genuinely fun for the whole family. Top Info ℹ️ 📍 Science and Industry Museum, Liverpool Road, Manchester, M3 4FP 📆 13 February 2026 – 3 January 2027 💰 £10 per person, family discounts available, under 3s free ⏱️ We spent just over an hour exploring 👶 Buggy park available in the waiting area ♿ Accessibility hub with ear defenders and other items available 🛍 Gift shop at the end of the exhibition 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Recommended for ages 7+, but younger children can still enjoy plenty of it too 🎥 Watch Our Visit in Weekly Vlog #442 If you’d like to see what we got up to during our visit to the Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos exhibition at the Science and Industry Museum Manchester, you can watch it in Weekly Vlog #442 below. Our trip to the museum is at the beginning of the video, although the vlog also includes some other moments from our week.

Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts at The Lowry On Tuesday 7th April, my mum and I headed to The Lowry for a press night of Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts  — and it turned out to be such a lovely midweek theatre trip together. With a 7:30pm start, my dad dropped us off just outside the Imperial War Museum North, and we walked across the bridge over to The Lowry. It’s one of my favourite ways to arrive at the theatre, and at this time of year it’s still light in the evening, which made it a really nice, relaxed walk over before the show. A Lovely Evening at The Lowry Once inside, I headed to the press desk to collect our programme before we made our way into the Lyric Theatre. We were seated in the stalls, Row O seats 31 & 32 , slightly to the side rather than central, but the view was still really clear and we didn’t miss anything on stage. The show started promptly at 7:30pm, and from the opening moment, it definitely grabs your attention with a very dramatic and unexpected start. A Mystery That Keeps You Guessing The story begins during a theatre performance where things suddenly take a very dark turn — and from that moment, the mystery unfolds. I really liked the concept of the story, especially the way it links back to Morse’s past. There are lots of twists throughout, and it’s one of those shows where you’re constantly trying to work out what’s going on and who might be involved. Act one was around 60 minutes long , and by the interval, my mum and I already had a few theories about who the killer might be — which made it really fun to chat about during the break. Interval Theories & Mid-Show Chats The interval lasted around 20 minutes , and we decided to stay in our seats and chat rather than head out — mainly because we were so invested in trying to piece everything together. It’s definitely the kind of show that gets you thinking and keeps you guessing, and I always love when a show gives you that to talk about mid-way through. A Strong Finish with Plenty of Twists The second act was also around 60 minutes , with the show finishing at approximately 9:50pm , making the total runtime around 2 hours and 20 minutes including the interval . Overall, I found this to be a really interesting and engaging theatre experience. The mystery itself is strong and full of twists, and I liked how everything came together by the end. At times, it did feel quite dialogue-heavy, and I would have loved a little more action on stage to bring some of those moments to life. But that said, it still kept me fully engaged throughout, especially trying to work everything out alongside Morse. Final Thoughts This was such a lovely theatre trip with my mum, and I always enjoy shows that give you something to talk about during the interval and on the way home. If you enjoy a good mystery and like trying to piece things together as the story unfolds, this is definitely one to consider. And if you’re a fan of Inspector Morse, I think you’ll especially enjoy seeing the character brought to life on stage in a new way. Planning Your Visit 📍 Venue: The Lowry (Lyric Theatre) 📅 Dates: Tuesday 7 April – Saturday 11 April 2026 ⏰ Runtime: Approx. 2 hours 20 minutes (including interval) 👶 Age guidance: 12+ 🎭 Start time: 7:30pm There was no merchandise available for this show apart from programmes, which were priced at £6.

🎭 Theatre Night at The Lowry On Tuesday 31st March, my mum and I headed to The Lowry for a theatre night to see Top Hat the Musical , which was playing in the Lyric Theatre. Now, I’ll be honest — old-school musicals aren’t usually my go-to, but I’d heard really good things about this one, so I was really looking forward to seeing what it was like. My dad dropped us off outside the Imperial War Museum North, and we did our usual walk across the bridge to the theatre, which is always such a lovely way to start the evening. It was one of those evenings where everything just felt really relaxed from the start. We arrived at around 7pm, and I headed to the press desk to collect our programme and drinks vouchers before having a little wander around. 🛍️ Merch & Pre-Show Of course, we had a look at the merch stand (as always 👀), and there was quite a good range available: Magnet – £8 Keyring – £12 Pin – £9 Pin Set – £18 Bottle Stopper – £6 Umbrella – £28 Tote Bag – £16 T-shirts – £30 Programme – £6 I couldn’t resist picking up a magnet for my collection — it’s definitely becoming a bit of a tradition now! 🎟️ Seats & View We entered the auditorium through Door B and were seated in Row L, seats 24 and 25. The view was excellent — really central and a great distance from the stage. It actually worked perfectly for this show because we could properly see all the footwork during the tap numbers, which made such a difference. ⏱️ Show Running Time & Interval Act one was around 60 minutes long, and during the interval (about 20 minutes), we headed to the bar — I got a Diet Coke and my mum had a J2O. We ended up chatting about the show, and I was honestly surprised at how much I was enjoying it already. The humour was landing really well, and the tap dancing had completely won me over. The theatre had such a lovely atmosphere too — you could tell everyone was really enjoying it. Act two was slightly longer at around 75 minutes, with the whole show finishing at about 10:05pm. 🎶 Top Hat the Musical at The Lowry Top Hat the Musical at The Lowry  really leans into that classic Hollywood glamour and escapism, which works so well for a night at the theatre. The story itself is quite simple and really easy to follow. It centres on Broadway star Jerry Travers, who arrives in London to work on a new show and ends up meeting Dale Tremont after a slightly chaotic first encounter. He quickly falls for her, but things don’t quite go to plan because Dale mistakenly believes Jerry is actually her friend’s husband, Horace. From there, everything turns into a bit of a whirlwind of misunderstandings, near-misses and some very funny moments. As the story moves from London to Venice, the mix-ups only get bigger, with everyone trying to fix things but somehow making them even more complicated along the way. It’s definitely not a show you go to for a deep storyline, but that’s part of the charm — it just gives you a fun, light-hearted way to enjoy all the big musical numbers. 💃 Tap Dancing, Music & Standout Moments The choreography is definitely the highlight of the show. There’s so much tap dancing, and it’s honestly mesmerising to watch — especially in the big ensemble numbers where everything is so precise and in sync. The opening number sets the tone straight away and gives you that “wow” moment right from the start. Phillip Attmore, who plays Jerry, is incredible to watch — his tap dancing looks completely effortless and full of energy, and you can tell he’s really enjoying every moment on stage. Nicole-Lily Baisden brings a lovely warmth to Dale, and I really enjoyed the softer, more romantic moments between the two of them. James Hume and Emma Williams add so much humour as Horace and Madge, and their scenes together were some of the funniest in the show. James Clyde also nearly steals the show as Bates — his timing is spot on and he had the audience laughing throughout. Zak Edwards was on as Alberto at this performance and added a really fun, playful energy to the role. And then there’s the music — I didn’t realise quite how many songs I’d recognise! From Puttin’ on the Ritz  to Cheek to Cheek  and Top Hat, White Tie and Tails , it’s one of those shows where you find yourself smiling as soon as the music starts. ✨ What I Loved Visually, this show is absolutely stunning. The Art Deco-inspired set is beautiful, with its sweeping curves and rotating centre that allows the scenes to move smoothly from London to Venice without breaking the flow. Combined with the lighting, it creates such a polished and immersive feel throughout. The costumes are exactly what you’d hope for — elegant, glamorous and very 1930s — and they really add to that sense of escapism. 💛 A Lovely Evening Together One of the nicest parts of the evening was just getting to experience it with my mum. She absolutely loved the show — especially the humour and the big tap numbers — and it was just such a lovely evening to spend together. I really love that we get to share these theatre trips and enjoy them side by side. 💭 Final Thoughts I went into Top Hat the Musical at The Lowry  not quite sure what to expect, and it completely surprised me in the best way. It’s one of those shows where you can just sit back, relax and enjoy it — light, glamorous and full of those feel-good musical theatre moments. If you’re looking for something fun, easy to watch and packed with incredible dancing and classic songs, this is definitely one to see. 🎟️ Booking Info Top Hat the Musical  is at The Lowry until Saturday 4th April 2026. 👉 You can book tickets HERE 🎭 You can also read my full theatre review over on All About Theatre HERE

Family Weekly Update Some weeks feel really productive, and others feel a little bit all over the place — and this was definitely one of those mixed weeks. From a frustrating start and a not-so-great dentist appointment to Easter prep, a theatre trip and a cosy weekend at home, it ended up being a full but very real kind of week. Here’s everything we got up to during our week of 23rd – 29th March. A Slow Start & A Frustrating Dentist Visit 😩🦷 Monday felt like a bit of a write-off if I’m honest. I had a dentist appointment booked for 2:15pm, and whenever I’ve got something like that — especially the dentist — I find it really hard to focus on anything else beforehand. After dropping the kids off at school, I ended up just scrolling on my phone and watching TV, which was frustrating because I had loads I wanted to get done. The appointment itself didn’t go very well either. I’ve been saying for a while that I could feel a hole in one of my teeth, but I kept being told it was fine. It turns out it isn’t, and now the tooth needs to come out, which I’m really not happy about. By the time I finished at the dentist, it was basically time to pick the kids up from school, so the whole day just disappeared. ASDA Trip, Trafford Centre & Parents Evening 🛍️💛 On Tuesday, Lawrence had the day off, so we got the bus to ASDA to pick up some Easter bits and grab Alice a new cardigan and some leggings. Once we’d finished shopping, we headed across to the Trafford Centre for lunch. I’m definitely a creature of habit, so we went to KFC and I ordered what I always get. After lunch, we had a look in the Haribo shop where I picked up a pick and mix, and then popped into Primark where we ended up getting a couple of bits for Leo as well. We then headed home to pick Leo up from school before my parents kindly watched him so Lawrence and I could go to Alice’s parents’ evening. It was such a lovely evening. Alice has her challenges, but she tries so hard and is such a determined little girl. The teachers had such lovely things to say about her, and we both came away feeling really proud of how well she’s doing. Eric & Ern at The Lowry with My Dad 🎭 After parents’ evening, I had some dinner and then headed to The Lowry with my dad to see Eric and Ern . My mum dropped us off opposite the Imperial War Museum North, and from there we walked across the bridge towards the theatre. It was absolutely chucking it down 🌧️ and so windy that an umbrella didn’t stand a chance, so we just pulled our hoods up and made a dash for it! Once inside, I collected my information sheet and drinks vouchers from the box office before we headed over to the Quays Theatre. We decided to use our drinks vouchers straight away — I went for a lemonade and my dad had a Guinness 0.0, which felt like a nice little pre-show treat. We were sat in the Stalls Tier, Row O, seats 37 and 38. It was slightly to the side, but still a really good view and nothing felt obstructed. The only downside for me was that the seat did get a bit uncomfortable after a while, but overall it was still a great place to sit. The show itself had a really nostalgic feel, with lots of classic-style comedy and variety moments throughout. It wasn’t necessarily my usual type of humour, but I could really appreciate how talented the performers were and how much effort had gone into recreating that classic style. In the interval, my dad and I had a chat about it, and he absolutely loved it. Having watched Morecambe and Wise when he was younger, it clearly meant a lot more to him and brought back so many memories, which made the whole experience even more special. After the show, my mum picked us up and dropped me off at home, and I made a start on writing my review before finishing it the next morning. 👉 You can read my full reviews here: Sarah Monaghan review   (my personal experience of the night) All About Theatre review   (a more detailed look at the show) Easter Prep & Filming 🎥🐣 On Wednesday, I got all the Easter bits I’d bought out and organised everything into the kids’ Easter baskets, which I always enjoy doing. I also filmed an Easter basket video for YouTube and went through all our Easter decorations to see if there was anything else we needed. I managed to get the video edited before heading out to pick the kids up from school, which felt like a productive day after the slow start to the week. A Productive Day at Home 💻✨ Thursday was all about catching up on jobs at home. I got on top of the housework and also went through the files on my external hard drives, organising everything and labelling them properly by year, which has been on my to-do list for ages. A Poorly Day & Cosy Sofa Time 🤒🎬 On Friday, both Alice and Leo were off school ill. Alice had a stomach bug and was really poorly, constantly being sick and unable to keep anything down, which was horrible to see. Leo had a bit of a cough, but seemed absolutely fine otherwise — I think he was quite happy to stay home with us! I spent most of the day cuddled up on the sofa with Alice while we watched films, including Zootropolis and a few of the Toy Story films, which are her favourites at the moment. A Much Better Day & Toy Story Fun 🧸✨ By Saturday, Alice was thankfully much better and able to keep food down. By the end of the day, she was back up playing and feeling much more like herself. She watched Toy Story 3 and 4 and then spent the rest of the day playing with her toys with Lawrence and Leo, which was lovely to see after how poorly she’d been the day before. I spent a lot of the day editing some older party supply haul videos that I’d completely forgotten about, so I got those finished and uploaded to YouTube. A Quiet Sunday & Catching Up 🎬💛 On Sunday, we decided to stay in just to make sure Alice had fully recovered. The kids spent time playing with Lawrence, while I focused on editing the weekly vlog from the previous week. I was a bit behind, and because it included all the St Patrick’s Day party prep, there were loads of clips to go through, so it ended up taking most of the day. Final Thoughts 💛 This week definitely had its ups and downs, from a frustrating start and dentist news I didn’t want, to lovely proud moments, a theatre trip with my dad and some cosy family time at home. Sometimes those slower, quieter days — especially when everyone just needs a bit of comfort — are just as important as the busy ones. And as always… I’m already looking forward to the next adventure ✨ Watch Our Weekly Vlog 🎥 If you’d like to see everything we got up to this week in real time, you can watch this week’s family weekly update vlog, Weekly Vlog #447 , below — come and join us for Easter prep, days out, family moments and a real look at our week.