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Some weeks feel busy but exciting, and this one was definitely full of activity. From editing and housework to three theatre trips in one week, plus a slightly stressful moment when I lost my phone, it ended up being a week packed with memories. Here’s everything we got up to during our week of 2nd – 8th February. Editing, Housework & Theatre Nights 🎭 On Monday, I spent most of the day editing last week’s weekly vlog, which always takes longer than I think it will but is always worth it once it’s finished. Tuesday morning was mainly house chores, catching up on bits around the house, and then in the evening Lawrence and I headed to The Lowry  to review MÁM  (gifted tickets). MÁM  is a powerful dance-theatre production inspired by Irish mythology, combining contemporary dance, live music and storytelling to explore themes of motherhood, heritage and identity. It’s very atmospheric and visually striking, with moments that feel almost hypnotic. We both really enjoyed it, and it was honestly completely different to anything we’ve seen before. It’s one of those shows that stays with you afterwards because of how emotional and immersive the experience feels. 👉 You can read my full reviews here: All About Theatre review Sarah Monaghan review Wednesday was a proper home admin day spent writing both of my MÁM  reviews, creating social media posts and reels, and getting everything published across my platforms. A Solo Theatre Trip to Bolton 🎭 On Thursday, I headed to Bolton  to review The Memory of Water  at the Octagon Theatre (gifted tickets). Before catching my train, I had a quick look around Primark and then grabbed some lunch from KFC, which felt like a nice little solo outing moment. I arrived at the theatre around 1:30pm for the 2pm matinee, collected my programme and drinks voucher from the box office, and then headed up to the bar to get a drink to take into the auditorium before the show started. The Memory of Water  follows three sisters who reunite for their mother’s funeral, with the story blending humour, nostalgia and emotional moments as they confront family tensions and childhood memories. It’s a really relatable exploration of family relationships, grief and the complicated bonds between siblings. The production balanced comedy and emotion beautifully, with genuinely funny moments alongside more reflective scenes, and I found it really engaging throughout. 👉 You can read my full reviews here: All About Theatre review Sarah Monaghan review Friday was spent writing my Memory of Water  reviews and creating the social media posts and reel to go with them. Peppa Pig with the Kids 🐷💕 On Saturday, we took the children to see Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show  at The Lowry (gifted tickets), and they absolutely loved it. The show follows Peppa and her family preparing for a new arrival, with plenty of songs, colourful sets and familiar characters from the TV series. It’s designed perfectly for young audiences, with lots of interaction and moments that kept the children completely engaged. Seeing how excited Alice and Leo were throughout the performance made it really special — they were smiling the whole time. However… I did manage to lose my phone at the end of the performance, which caused a bit of panic. I went back into the auditorium to look for it but couldn’t see it anywhere. One of The Lowry volunteers said they would check inside while I went to the box office to see if it had been handed in — it hadn’t, and I was just filling out my details for them to contact me if it was found when the volunteer came out with my phone. Apparently it had been wedged down the side of the seat! I was so relieved it had been found. 👉 You can read my full reviews here: All About Theatre review Sarah Monaghan review Sunday was spent writing my Peppa Pig reviews for both blogs and creating the social media posts and reel to go with them. Final Thoughts 💛 This weekly update was definitely a busy one, but full of moments I’m really grateful for — theatre experiences, family time and even a stressful moment that ended happily. From unique dance theatre and emotional storytelling to Peppa Pig excitement and a mini phone scare, it was a week full of variety and memories. Sometimes the busiest weeks are the ones that end up meaning the most. 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 Weekly Vlog #440  — come and join us for all the theatre trips, family moments and behind-the-scenes life.

Some weeks are a lovely mix of everyday life and special moments, and this one definitely felt like that. From school science presentations and theatre trips to Valentine’s lunch and a family birthday celebration, this weekly update was full of little highlights. Here’s everything we got up to during our week of 9th – 15th February. Editing, Housework & Getting Organised 💻 On Monday I started the week as I usually do — editing the weekly vlog. As always, it took most of the day, but it’s always satisfying once it’s finished and uploaded. Tuesday was a bit of a home day. I caught up on housework and spent some time reorganising my files on my computer, which felt really productive. It’s one of those jobs I keep putting off, but it makes everything so much easier once it’s done. Alice’s Science Showcase 🔬 On Wednesday morning, my mum and I went to Alice’s school for their Science Showcase. She was so happy to see us there, which was really lovely. The children had clearly worked very hard and were excited to show the parents what they had been learning. Alice helped present an experiment about friction, using toy cars going down ramps made from different materials and measuring the distance they travelled. It was really interesting to see how different surfaces affected how far the cars rolled. All the children were fantastic and clearly proud of their work, and it was such a nice way to see what they’ve been learning in school. The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical ⚡ Later that evening we headed to HOME Manchester to review The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical  (gifted tickets). As a special treat we brought Alice with us, and she absolutely loved it. Leo stayed with his grandparents as the show has an age recommendation of 8+, so it felt like a really nice little evening out for her. The musical follows Percy Jackson, a teenager who discovers he is the son of Poseidon and is suddenly thrown into a world of Greek gods, monsters and mythical adventures. The show is fast-paced, funny and full of energy, with a great mix of humour, storytelling and music. Alice had popcorn and ice cream during the interval, which made the evening feel like an extra special treat. 👉 You can read my full All About Theatre review HERE 👉 You can read my full Sarah Monaghan review HERE Valentine’s Lunch at the Trafford Centre ❤️ On Thursday, Lawrence and I went to the Trafford Centre for an early Valentine’s lunch since he was going to be working on the actual day. We arrived around 11am and had a look around the new Haribo shop and Miniso before deciding where to eat. We were stuck between Pesto and TGI Fridays but ended up choosing TGI’s because we hadn’t been there for a while and they had a lunch offer on. Lawrence went for a burger and I chose the steak, which was delicious. After lunch Lawrence headed home to pick the kids up from school while I popped into ASDA to buy a birthday card and present for my nephew. When I got home I also wrote up my review for The Lightning Thief . Social Media & Editing 🎬 Friday was mostly spent working on the social media posts and reels for my Lightning Thief  reviews and doing some video editing. Meet the Hatter at Z-arts 🎩 On Saturday the kids, my brother and I went to Z-arts Manchester to review Meet the Hatter  (gifted tickets), and we all really enjoyed it. Inspired by the world of Alice in Wonderland , the show combines storytelling, music and imaginative staging to create a magical and playful theatre experience for children. It’s funny, creative and full of charm, with lots of moments designed to spark imagination. Both Alice and Leo were completely engaged throughout, and it was such a fun family theatre outing. 👉 You can read my All About Theatre review HERE 👉 You can read my All About Theatre review HERE   A Family Birthday Celebration 🎉 On Sunday I went to my nephew’s 2nd birthday party, which was really lovely. The party was held at a children’s play centre for under-5s and it was such a fun little venue. Peppa Pig even came to the party, which was a really nice surprise. I managed to get a photo with her so I could show Alice and Leo when I got home, as they both love Peppa Pig. Afterwards we stopped at Nando’s for dinner on the way home, which was the perfect relaxed ending to the week. Final Thoughts 💛 This was one of those weeks with a lovely mix of everyday moments and special outings — from Alice’s science showcase and theatre trips to Valentine’s lunch and a family birthday celebration. Sometimes it’s those small moments, like watching your child take part in something they’ve been learning at school, that really make a week feel special. Watch Our Weekly Vlog 🎥 If you’d like to see everything we got up to this week in real time, you can watch Weekly Vlog #441  — come and join us for theatre trips, family moments and behind-the-scenes life from our week.

February half term always feels a little busier than a normal week, and this one was packed with family days out, museums, theatre trips and a slightly chaotic pancake evening. From space toilets and spy missions to free kids’ meals and Pokémon surprises, this weekly update is definitely full of memories. Here’s everything we got up to during our week of 16th – 22nd February. Editing & Half Term Begins 🎬 On Monday, I started the week as I usually do — editing the weekly vlog. As always, it took most of the day, but I love getting it finished and uploaded before the new week properly gets going. With it being February half term, the kids were off school all week, so I knew we had a busy few days ahead. Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos 🚀 On Tuesday, which was Lawrence’s day off work, we headed to the Science and Industry Museum Manchester to visit the brand-new Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos  exhibition. We paid £32 for a family ticket and booked for 1:45pm, spending just over an hour exploring. The exhibition is an interactive space adventure inspired by the BBC Horrible Science series, and there was so much to see and do. The kids: Dressed up as astronauts (Alice absolutely loved this part) Took a selfie on a real space toilet Touched a real piece of the Moon Learned how astronauts eat, sleep and even go to the loo in space Tested their strength on different planets Answered Dr Big Brain’s quiz There was so much for the kids to get involved with, from hands-on activities to interactive challenges, and it kept them completely engaged the whole way round. At the end, there’s a little gift shop. Alice chose a robot arm and Leo picked a small Earth plush — both £6.99. Afterwards, we hopped on the free bus outside the museum, got off at Piccadilly Gardens and walked to the Arndale food court to get some dinner. The kids had Happy Meals from McDonald’s, and Lawrence and I grabbed a KFC. We had planned to make pancakes that evening for Pancake Day, but by the time we got home we were all exhausted after such a busy day. Spies, Beefeater Chaos & Pancakes (A Day Late!) 🕵️🥞 On Wednesday, Lawrence was doing a short shift, so once he got home we got the tram to MediaCity and visited the Spies, Lies and Deception exhibition at the Imperial War Museum North. Alice had the best time dressing up as a spy and sneaking around looking for clues. While it’s not a fully hands-on exhibition, there were enough engaging elements to keep her interested, and we spent about an hour exploring. 👉 You can read my full review HERE Afterwards, we walked to Quay House Beefeater for dinner — and completely messed up our order. Lawrence and I ordered from the saver menu and tried to use our kids-eat-free voucher, but it wouldn’t work with the saver meals. So we reordered from the main menu and used a 40% off mains voucher instead. In the end, we paid only 50p less but got less food because we didn’t get starters. Lawrence was gutted because he’d been looking forward to his starter — lesson learned for next time! We got home around 4:30pm, had a little rest, and then finally made pancakes at around 6pm — a day late, because we were too tired on Tuesday. The kids loved flipping the pancakes. Both chose chocolate spread as their topping. Alice added strawberries, and Leo added sprinkles. On their second pancake, they made smiley faces — Alice used banana for the eyes and strawberries for the mouth, with sprinkles for a beard, and Leo made his entirely with sprinkles. They both said they were delicious. Lawrence and I didn’t have any — we’re not big pancake fans! Lunch with Grandad 🍽️ On Thursday, Lawrence was working, so the kids and I went out for lunch with my dad. Mum was supposed to come too, but she wasn’t feeling well. We went to Coppice Wood Farm because the kids love the play area. We arrived around 1pm. My dad and I had the carvery, and the kids had chicken nuggets, chips and garlic bread, followed by ice cream. Because it was half term, the kids’ meals were free — which was a lovely bonus. We left around 2:30pm. When we got home, the kids watched TV for a bit while I did some work on my computer designing notebooks and planners. A Home Day & Writing Reviews 🏡 Friday was a quieter day at home. The kids played with their toys and watched some TV while I wrote my review for the spy exhibition and did some housework. It felt nice to slow the pace down slightly after such a busy start to half term. The Enormous Turnip — Rain, Puppets & The Best Day Ever 🎭🌧️ On Saturday, we were invited to review The Enormous Turnip  at Waterside Arts for the 2:30pm performance. Mum was meant to come with us, but she still wasn’t feeling well, so my dad joined us instead. We got the tram to Sale, which is always such an easy journey — the tram stop is literally just across the road from the theatre, which makes it so convenient when travelling with children. Unfortunately, the weather had other ideas. It was absolutely torrential rain, and by the time we arrived we were completely drenched! The first thing we did was head straight to the café to warm up. I got a hot chocolate (which honestly felt like the best decision ever at that moment), and my dad had a cup of tea. Sitting there together, warming up and watching families arrive actually felt like a really lovely, calm start to the afternoon. And then something unexpected happened before the show had even started. One of the characters, Raymond Chickweed, came out into the café area playing his accordion and chatting to families, asking if anyone knew where he could buy dog food. Alice absolutely loved this interaction. I could see straight away how much more relaxed she felt. When performers speak to her before a show, it really helps her confidence — she feels included rather than overwhelmed — and it makes such a difference once the performance begins. Inside the auditorium, Dottie Chickweed was also chatting to audience members, which continued that welcoming, friendly atmosphere. The show itself is such a joyful retelling of the classic story, full of warmth, humour and imagination. Mr and Mrs Chickweed plant one final seed before retirement… only for it to grow into a turnip so enormous they can’t pull it up alone. There were some brilliant puppets too — Scruffy the dog, Tiggs the cat, a tiny mouse, a caterpillar and even a singing cauliflower that got big laughs. The audience participation was fantastic, with children encouraged to clap, shout out and join in. At one point, some children were invited on stage to help operate the puppets and try to pull up the turnip. Alice joined in with everything, which was so lovely to see. When she feels safe and comfortable, she absolutely thrives — and this show created exactly that kind of environment. Leo loved it too, especially the funny moments and the puppets. But the absolute highlight came after the show. Outside, the turnip caravan was set up and the children were invited to meet the characters and have a go at using the puppets themselves. For Alice, this was the best part of the day. She loves puppets, and being able to try them properly alongside the performers made her so happy. She declared it “the best day ever,” which honestly says everything. Leo loved having a turn too and was so proud of himself. After the show, we walked over to Lawrence’s work, which is nearby, because Alice really wanted to see her daddy at work. While we were there, the kids spotted some Pokémon toys they liked, so I treated them to one each. When we got home, they played with their Pokémon toys while I made dinner, and we ended the day with a cosy evening watching TV — still talking about the enormous turnip. 👉 You can read my All About Theatre review HERE 👉 You can read my Sarah Monaghan review HERE A Restful Sunday 💛 On Sunday, we had a rest after such a busy half term week. I spent the day writing up my reviews and creating the social media posts while the kids played with their toys and had a little time on their tablets. Final Thoughts 💫 This weekly update was definitely a busy one, but full of lovely family moments — interactive science, spy missions, theatre trips, pancakes (even if they were a day late), and simple dinners out together. Half term weeks are always a bit full-on, but they’re also when we make some of our best memories. And now… we’re ready for a slightly quieter week ahead! Watch Our Weekly Vlog 🎥 If you’d like to see everything we got up to this week in real time, you can watch Weekly Vlog #442  — come and join us for our half term days out, museum fun, theatre trips and cosy family moments along the way.

It’s been a busy week here with theatre trips, World Book Day costumes, speech therapy appointments, lots of YouTube editing and even a little creative experimenting with my badge-making machine. From light-up Spider-Man school shoes to Krispy Kreme treats and filming multiple theatre reviews, this week ended up being surprisingly productive. Here’s everything we got up to during our week of 2nd – 8th March. School Shoes, Trafford Centre & Lunch at Pesto 🛍️🍝 On Monday Lawrence had the day off work, so we decided to get the bus to ASDA as Leo needed some new school shoes and I wanted to try and find a trench coat for Alice’s World Book Day costume. The theme at her school this year was spies. When we arrived I had a quick look at the Mother’s Day range. I didn’t find a present for my mum but I did pick up a card. We then headed upstairs to find Leo some shoes and luckily we found exactly what he wanted straight away — Spider-Man light-up school shoes for £20. Even better, they actually had his size in stock, which never usually happens. Unfortunately they didn’t have anything suitable for Alice’s costume. Before leaving we had a quick look in the toy section to see if there was anything we could get Leo for his birthday in April, but nothing really stood out. After ASDA we walked across to the Trafford Centre and had a browse in the Selfridges toy section. They had quite a lot of Hot Wheels and some Mario toys, but nothing we thought Leo would really play with or didn’t already have. We also popped into the Jellycat shop to see the new collection. They’re very cute, but definitely quite expensive. By this point we were getting hungry, so Lawrence and I decided to go to Pesto for lunch as we hadn’t been in a while and they have a really good lunchtime offer for £13.99. I ordered: Ali di Pollo al Forno – Tuscan style chicken wings Salsiccia Peperonata – spicy Italian sausage with peppers and potatoes Pizzetta Pepperoni – a 6” pizza with tomato, mozzarella and pepperoni Lawrence ordered: Spaghetti al Ragú Bolognese Salsiccia Peperonata Arancini – deep-fried saffron risotto balls stuffed with mozzarella We both had a Diet Coke and the food was really nice. After lunch we had a quick look in Primark to see if I could find Alice a trench coat for her costume and to pick up some school leggings for her. They didn’t have the coat in her size, but we did manage to get the leggings. Later that evening I found a spy costume on Amazon and ordered it for delivery on Wednesday. A Full Day of Editing 🎬 Tuesday was mostly spent editing YouTube videos. I’m really determined to catch up with my editing backlog at the moment, so I spent most of the day working through videos. It was quite a long day but I managed to get several finished which felt really productive. Mean Girls & Krispy Kreme Treats 🎭🍩 On Wednesday Lawrence and I went to the matinee performance of Mean Girls The Musical. Lawrence had already bought his ticket quite a while ago, so his seat was in the circle. I only decided to go a few days earlier when my parents offered to watch the kids, so my ticket was in the stalls. When we arrived I had a quick look at the merchandise stand, but I’d already bought a programme and magnet the week before when I first saw the show. When we got into the auditorium there were quite a few empty seats in the stalls, so Lawrence was able to move and sit next to me which was really nice. I absolutely loved the show again. Lawrence enjoyed it but said it’s probably not one of his favourites and he wouldn’t rush to see it again. I, on the other hand, would happily go and see it again when it comes to Liverpool. 👉 You can read my full review Here After the show we walked up to the Manchester Arndale and stopped at Krispy Kreme because they had an offer running where you could get 12 donuts for £12 by saying “Wonderful Wednesday”. Apparently the offer runs every Wednesday throughout March, so that was a nice treat for the kids when we got home. Alice’s spy costume had also arrived that day and she was very excited to try it on. It looked amazing and she was really happy with it. World Book Day & Speech Therapy 📚 Thursday was World Book Day. Alice went to school dressed as a spy and she looked absolutely adorable in her costume. Leo doesn’t really enjoy dressing up, but luckily his school’s theme was to wear something comfortable so he wore his Gruffalo top and jogging bottoms, which suited him perfectly. Leo also had a speech therapy appointment at 11:30am. He went into school for a couple of hours first, then we picked him up at 11am so he could have lunch before the appointment. The speech therapist was lovely and Leo really enjoyed the session. We were given a few sounds to practise with him before his next appointment. Afterwards we took him back to school. Filming & Uploading Theatre Reviews 🎥 Friday was spent filming my review videos for: Mean Girls Operation Mincemeat Disney On Ice I also uploaded Weekly Vlog #443 . On Saturday I uploaded two theatre videos: My Six The Musical Vlog & Review My Matilda The Musical Vlog & Review Then on Sunday I finished editing and uploaded: My Mean Girls Vlog & Review My Operation Mincemeat Vlog & Review My Disney Come Shop With Me Video It felt really good to finally make progress on my editing backlog. Badge Making Experiments ✨ On Sunday evening I also decided to try making some pocket mirror badges using my badge-making machine. At first I had a bit of trouble printing the images because I hadn’t selected the correct paper setting on my printer. Once I worked that out the designs printed perfectly. I then cut them out using my Cricut machine and assembled them using the badge maker. I’m really pleased with how the pocket mirrors turned out and I’m excited to experiment with making more. Final Thoughts 💫 This week ended up being a mix of theatre trips, creative projects and lots of behind-the-scenes editing work. It was lovely seeing Alice so excited about her World Book Day costume, and Leo did really well at his speech therapy appointment too. And after such a productive weekend of editing… I’m finally starting to feel a bit more caught up with my YouTube videos! Watch Our Weekly Vlog 🎥 If you’d like to see everything we got up to this week in real time, you can watch Weekly Vlog #444  over on my YouTube channel — including our Trafford Centre trip, theatre visits and lots of everyday family moments along the way.

Last week Lawrence and I had the lovely opportunity to attend the press night of Operation Mincemeat at The Lowry, and it turned into such a fun and memorable theatre evening together. We were invited to review the show on its press night on Tuesday 24th February 2026, with the performance starting at 7.30pm. My dad kindly dropped us off at The Lowry at around 7pm, which meant we had plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere before the show. Arriving at The Lowry As soon as we arrived, we headed inside and, of course, the first stop was the merch stand. I was really hoping to add a magnet to my collection, but sadly they didn’t have one this time. They did have a great selection though, including: Operation List of Names T-shirt — £25 Sweater — £45 Tote Bag — £15 Notebook — £15 Sticker Sheet — £5 Pin Badge Set — £10 CD — £15 Vinyl — £35 Book ( True Spy Story ) — £12 Souvenir Programme — £12 After browsing, we headed over to the press desk to collect our tickets and programme. There was a lovely press and guest area set up in the bar with drinks available — red wine, white wine, Buck’s Fizz, water and orange juice — and baskets of Operation Mincemeat  themed biscuits which we couldn’t resist trying. Lawrence and I both grabbed one while we chatted and took everything in. They’d also set up a yellow carpet with an Operation Mincemeat  backdrop, along with a telephone prop and briefcase for photos, which was such a fun touch. Lawrence and I had our photo taken before heading into the auditorium. Our Seats We entered through Door A as we were seated towards the back of the stalls in Row S, seats 23 and 24, right in the centre of the middle section. Even though we were near the back, the view was excellent — clear sightlines and really comfortable. The Show If you’re not familiar with Operation Mincemeat , it’s based on a real World War II intelligence mission involving an elaborate plan to mislead the Nazis using fake documents attached to a disguised corpse. It sounds completely unbelievable — but it actually happened. Turning that story into a musical might sound unlikely, but it works brilliantly. The show is fast-paced, clever, funny and surprisingly emotional. There’s a lot of humour, but also moments that really land emotionally, which gives the whole experience much more depth than you might expect. One of the most impressive things is that there are only five performers on stage, yet they play multiple characters throughout the show. The speed of the costume changes and character switches is honestly incredible, and you quickly forget there aren’t dozens of people in the cast. By the interval we were already really enjoying it and looking forward to seeing how the story would unfold in the second half. Interval During the interval we headed back to the press and guest area where we could get another drink. Lawrence and I both went for orange juice before heading back into the auditorium for Act Two. The Second Act The second half keeps the same energy and momentum, with some really impressive musical numbers and choreography. There’s also a particularly moving moment later in the show that completely changes the tone and brings a real emotional impact. The performance finished at around 10.10pm, with a total running time of approximately 2 hours 35 minutes including the interval. Final Thoughts Overall, Operation Mincemeat  was such a fantastic theatre experience and a really lovely night out for Lawrence and me. It’s funny, inventive, emotional and genuinely unique — one of those shows that surprises you with how cleverly everything comes together. The performances are outstanding, the music is memorable, and the storytelling keeps you engaged from start to finish. It’s easy to see why the show has received so many awards and five-star reviews. If you get the chance to see it on tour, I’d definitely recommend it. More Information Operation Mincemeat  will be touring the UK throughout 2026, so there are plenty of opportunities to catch this brilliant production if you missed it in Salford or want to see it again. For more information about tour dates and tickets, visit the official Operation Mincemeat website. If you’d like to read a more detailed review of the production, including my full thoughts on the cast, staging and music, you can also head over to my theatre blog All About Theatre here: Operation Mincemeat at The Lowry — Full Review PR — Gifted Tickets

Some weeks feel extra special, and this one definitely falls into that category. From two brilliant theatre nights to a magical family trip to Liverpool to see Disney On Ice, this weekly update is packed with theatre, family adventures and a few blogging moments along the way. Here’s everything we got up to during our week of 23rd February – 1st March . A Relaxing Start & Mean Girls in Manchester 🎭 I started Monday with a lovely relaxing bath using the Lush bath bomb Lawrence bought me for Valentine’s Day, which felt like the perfect calm start to the week. After that I spent most of the day editing the previous week’s vlog. I had hoped to get it uploaded that evening, but I ran out of time before heading out. In the evening I headed into Manchester city centre to see the first performance of the Mean Girls UK Tour at Manchester Opera House. I got the tram into town around 5pm and decided to make a little evening of it. First stop was KFC in the Manchester Arndale food court, and afterwards I had a quick wander around Primark, which had loads of new Disney items in stock. I arrived at the theatre around 6:40pm, took a few photos outside and then headed in to soak up the atmosphere before the show. As usual, one of the first things I did was check the merch stand. There were lots of fun items available, including T-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, badges and programmes. I added a magnet and a programme to my collection — which felt very on brand for me! My seat was in the Circle, Row Q, Seat 23, right at the back, but the view was actually really good. For £15, it felt like an absolute bargain. Mean Girls follows Cady Heron, who moves from being homeschooled in Africa to navigating the complicated world of American high school for the first time. She quickly learns about the school’s social hierarchy — especially when she encounters the infamous Plastics led by Regina George. The show is bright, energetic and full of pop-style musical numbers, with sharp choreography and plenty of humour. It’s the kind of feel-good theatre night that leaves you walking out with a big smile. During the interval I also realised that my brother was sitting a few rows in front of me, which was a lovely surprise. The show finished around 10pm, and I left the theatre already hoping I might be able to see it again before it leaves Manchester. Operation Mincemeat Press Night at The Lowry 🎭 On Tuesday I finished editing the weekly vlog and got it uploaded before Lawrence and I headed out for another theatre night. We had been invited to review the press night of Operation Mincemeat at The Lowry, which started at 7:30pm. My dad kindly dropped us off at the theatre around 7pm, which gave us plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere before the show. The first stop, of course, was the merch stand. Sadly there wasn’t a magnet this time, but there were lots of other items including T-shirts, tote bags, notebooks, books and vinyl records. After that we went over to the press desk to collect our tickets and programme. There was a really lovely press and guest area set up in the bar with drinks available and baskets of Operation Mincemeat themed biscuits — which Lawrence and I couldn’t resist trying. They had also created a yellow carpet photo area with an Operation Mincemeat backdrop and props like a telephone and briefcase for photos. Lawrence and I had our photo taken before heading into the auditorium. Our seats were Stalls Row S, seats 23 and 24, right in the centre near the back, but with a fantastic view. If you’re not familiar with the story, Operation Mincemeat is based on a real World War II intelligence mission where British agents used fake documents attached to a disguised corpse to mislead the Nazis. It sounds unbelievable — but it actually happened. Turning that story into a musical might seem unlikely, but it works brilliantly. The show is clever, fast-paced, funny and surprisingly emotional. What’s particularly impressive is that there are only five performers, yet they play dozens of characters throughout the show with lightning-fast costume changes. By the interval we were already really enjoying it, and the second half kept the same momentum while also delivering an unexpectedly moving moment later in the story. It was such a fantastic theatre experience and a really lovely night out for Lawrence and me. Blogging, Designing & Pen Experiments ✏️ Wednesday was spent writing my Operation Mincemeat review and preparing the social media posts to go with it. On Thursday I caught up on some housework and spent a bit of time designing musical-themed pens, which is something I’ve been experimenting with recently. Then on Friday I printed two of the designs and tried sublimating them onto pens using my air fryer. The process worked perfectly, and I’m planning to write a blog post soon showing exactly how I make them. A Magical Family Trip to Disney On Ice ❄️ On Saturday we headed off on a family adventure from Manchester to Liverpool to see Disney On Ice Presents Into The Magic at the M&S Bank Arena. This was Alice and Leo’s first time ever seeing Disney characters live, so excitement levels were very high before we’d even left the house. We started the morning by getting the tram into Manchester Piccadilly to catch the 10:54 train to Liverpool Lime Street. We arrived early, so we popped into Greggs where I grabbed a bacon roll and orange juice while the kids chose chocolate star biscuits for the train. Once on the train we found a table seat and settled in. The journey takes about an hour, and the kids were completely happy just looking out of the window the whole time. When we arrived in Liverpool we walked across to St John’s Shopping Centre for lunch. Alice and Leo had Happy Meals from McDonald’s, while Lawrence and I grabbed KFC before walking down to the waterfront and the arena. Inside the arena the kids were immediately drawn to the merchandise stands. We had planned to bring Alice’s bubble wand from home, but it had stopped working the night before, so we ended up buying a Mickey bubble wand for £33, which definitely added to the excitement once the show started. Our seats were in Block 10, Row JJ, which is in the upper tier but actually gave us a great central view of the ice. The show itself was pure Disney magic. It featured stories from: Beauty and the Beast Coco Tangled Cinderella Frozen Moana The costumes, skating and staging were incredible, and seeing the kids’ faces when the characters appeared made the whole day feel really special. Alice was especially excited to see Maximus from Tangled, while the Frozen section had lots of children singing along to Let It Go. The show finished with a big finale featuring characters from across the stories skating together before waving goodbye to the audience. For Alice and Leo’s first time seeing Disney characters live, it couldn’t have been more magical. A Quiet Sunday After such a busy week, Sunday was a much quieter day. I spent the day writing my reviews and preparing social media posts while the kids relaxed at home. Final Thoughts 💛 This weekly update was definitely a theatre-filled week, with three brilliant shows and a magical family trip to Liverpool. From Mean Girls and Operation Mincemeat to Disney On Ice, it was one of those weeks that reminded me just how much I love sharing theatre and family adventures. And seeing the kids experience Disney characters live for the first time made it even more special. Watch Our Weekly Vlog 🎥 If you’d like to see everything we got up to this week in real time, you can watch Weekly Vlog #443  — come and join us for theatre trips, a Liverpool day out, Disney magic and behind-the-scenes life from our week.

A Rainy Day, Hot Chocolate and One Very Big Turnip — Our Trip to The Enormous Turnip at Waterside Arts On Friday 20th February, we headed to Waterside Arts to see the 2.30pm performance of The Enormous Turnip, and despite the absolutely torrential rain on the way there, it turned into one of those really special family days that you just want to bottle up and keep. We got the tram to Sale, which was so easy — the tram stop is literally just across the road from the theatre, which makes such a difference when you’re travelling with children. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived, we were completely drenched thanks to the downpour, so the first thing I did was head straight to the café to warm up. I got a hot chocolate, which honestly felt like the best decision ever in that moment, and my dad got a cup of tea. Sitting there together, warming up and watching everyone arrive actually felt like a really lovely, calm start to the afternoon. And then something unexpected happened before the show had even started. A Lovely Start Before the Show While we were sitting in the café, one of the characters — Raymond Chickweed — came out playing his accordion and chatting to families, asking if anyone knew where he could buy dog food. Alice absolutely loved this interaction, and I could see straight away how much more relaxed she felt. I’ve noticed before that when performers speak to her before a show, it really helps her confidence. She feels included rather than overwhelmed, and it makes a huge difference once the performance starts. Sure enough, when we went into the auditorium afterwards, she was completely engaged. Inside the theatre, Dottie Chickweed was also walking around talking to audience members, which continued that welcoming atmosphere and made everything feel friendly and relaxed. The Show The Enormous Turnip tells the story of Mr and Mrs Chickweed, who live in a tiny shed surrounded by their prize-winning vegetables. They decide to plant one final seed before retirement… but of course, the turnip grows bigger and bigger until it becomes so enormous they can’t pull it up on their own — and they need everyone’s help to solve the problem. The story is simple, but it’s told with so much warmth, humour and imagination that it keeps children completely captivated while still being entertaining for adults. There are some really lovely puppets too — Scruffy the dog, Tiggs the cat, a mouse, a tiny caterpillar and even a singing cauliflower, which got big laughs from the audience. Watching Alice and Leo The audience participation was brilliant. Children were encouraged to clap, shout out and join in, and at one point some children were invited on stage to help operate the puppets and try to pull the enormous turnip up. Alice joined in with everything, which was so lovely to see because she doesn’t always feel confident doing that. When she feels safe and comfortable, though, she absolutely thrives — and this show created exactly that kind of environment. Leo loved it too, especially the funny moments and the puppets, and it was really nice watching them both laugh together. After the Show — The Highlight After the performance, the turnip caravan was outside the venue and the children were invited to meet the characters and have a go at using the puppets themselves. For Alice, this was the absolute highlight of the day. She loves puppets, and getting the chance to try them properly — with the performers — made her so happy. She declared it “the best day ever,” which honestly says everything. Seeing her confidence and excitement in that moment was really special. Leo loved having a go too and was very proud of himself. Moments like this are what turn a theatre trip into something much more than just watching a show — it becomes a memory. Final Thoughts The Enormous Turnip at Waterside Arts is such a joyful, family-friendly theatre experience. It’s funny, interactive, creative and genuinely heartwarming, with a lovely message about teamwork and working together. But more than anything, it was one of those days where everything just came together — even the rainy start — and we left feeling happy. We all came away smiling.

Last weekend we headed to Z-arts Manchester to see Meet the Hatter , and it turned out to be one of those really special theatre experiences that stays with you long after you leave. From the moment the lights dimmed, we were completely pulled into the Hatter’s magical world. Alice (8) and Leo (6) were absolutely mesmerised — and honestly, so was I. A Story About Imagination and Belonging The show follows the Hatter as he prepares for his famous tea party, only to discover that no one has arrived. Instead of giving up, he turns to his imagination and begins creating his own Wonderland — a journey filled with adventure, discovery and self-belief. What I loved most is how easy the story was for children to understand without it ever feeling childish. The themes of loneliness, creativity and finding confidence were beautifully woven into the experience. Alice sat completely wide-eyed watching the projections transform around the performer, and Leo barely moved in his seat the whole time — always a sign he’s totally absorbed. Visually Stunning From Start to Finish The production uses projection, lighting, music and dance together to create constantly changing worlds, and it really does feel magical. The performer appears to step into different environments — from starry skies to imaginative landscapes — and it genuinely feels like watching someone move inside a living storybook. It’s such a treat visually and sparks the imagination in a way that feels exciting rather than overwhelming for children. A Brilliant Performance The performance we saw featured Dominic Coffey as the Hatter, and holding an audience’s attention alone on stage for an hour is no small achievement. He brought warmth, humour and emotion to the role, making the character feel relatable and engaging from the very beginning. The physical storytelling was so clear that even without dialogue you always understood what he was feeling. The Moment the Kids Loved Most The ending was probably Alice and Leo’s favourite part. There’s a joyful interactive finale where children are invited to get up and dance, and both of them absolutely loved joining in. Alice proudly showed off her dance moves — and when the Hatter came into the audience and gave her a high five, she was beaming with happiness. Those little moments are the ones children remember. Our Overall Thoughts Meet the Hatter at Z-arts Manchester  is imaginative, uplifting and genuinely magical for families. It’s one of those shows that works beautifully for both children and adults — creative, visually exciting and full of heart. We left feeling inspired, happy and very glad we’d gone. If you’re looking for something a bit different for a family theatre trip, this is definitely worth seeing.

On Wednesday 11th February, Lawrence, Alice (8) and I headed into the pouring Manchester rain for press night of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical at HOME Manchester — and it turned into such a fun, high-energy family theatre night. The show started at 7.30pm and runs for approximately 2 hours 10 minutes (including a 20-minute interval), with a recommended age of 8+, which felt absolutely right for Alice and the many excited young fans in the audience. ?? Our Evening at HOME Manchester After collecting our tickets, Alice immediately chose a large popcorn (£4 — because what’s theatre without popcorn?). We were invited upstairs to the second-floor guest area before the show, which was such a lovely touch. There were drinks available (red and white wine, orange juice and apple juice), a rail to hang our very wet coats — honestly a lifesaver — and a big screen showing promotional material for the venue and the production. At around 7.15pm we made our way down to the auditorium. We were seated in the stalls, Row F seats 13–15, and had an excellent central view. One thing I always notice at HOME Manchester is how comfortable it is — generous legroom, comfy seats and such helpful staff. We asked for a booster seat for Alice and one was brought over straight away. It immediately felt like we were in for a good night. The Story – Gods, Monsters and Finding Where You Belong Based on Rick Riordan’s bestselling novel, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical follows Percy Jackson — a teenager who’s never quite felt like he fits in. After a series of strange events, he discovers he is actually the son of Poseidon and is suddenly thrown into the world of Camp Half-Blood. Alongside Annabeth and Grover, Percy sets off on a quest to recover Zeus’ stolen lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods. The story moves quickly, packed with humour, action and heart. Themes of friendship, identity and embracing what makes you different run right through it — and that message really resonated with the young audience around us. The industrial-style set transforms cleverly into different locations, and the lighting adds atmosphere without ever overwhelming the performers. It all works together to keep the adventure flowing smoothly. Performances That Brought It to Life Vasco Emauz leads the production confidently as Percy, bringing warmth and relatability to the role. You really feel Percy’s confusion, bravery and determination as his world turns upside down. Kayna Montecillo delivers a strong and assured Annabeth, balancing intelligence and strength beautifully. At this performance, the role of Grover was played by understudy Alex Anderton , who gave a fantastic performance with great vocals and a really engaging stage presence. Danny Beard, who has taken over the role of Mr D in 2026, is an absolute standout. With sharp comic timing and powerful vocals, he injects the show with energy and humour every time he appears on stage. The wider company — including Joseph Connor, Ellie-Grace Cousins, Paolo Micallef, Simone Robinson and Niall Sheehy — take on multiple roles with impressive clarity and enthusiasm, helping keep the pace lively throughout. The HOME Manchester Difference I actually saw this production last year at the Liverpool Empire and enjoyed it then — but I enjoyed it even more this time. HOME Manchester is a more intimate venue, and that closeness really benefits The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical . You feel nearer to the action, the humour lands more directly and the sound felt clearer and more immediate in this space, which really enhances the pop-rock score. Interval Ice Cream & Merch (Because These Things Matter!) In the interval we treated ourselves to ice cream — chocolate for Alice and mint choc chip for me (£7 for the two). We also browsed the merchandise stand. Available items included: Hoodie – £50 Camp Half-Blood T-shirt – £24 Cropped T-shirt – £24 Logo T-shirt (Adult) – £22 Logo T-shirt (Youth) – £18 Backpack – £28 Pens (price not listed at the time) There were no programmes available at this performance. Final Thoughts The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical at HOME Manchester is lively, funny and full of energy. It clearly connects with younger audiences while still offering enough wit and theatrical creativity for adults. While the final moments don’t quite reach the scale the build-up promises, the journey itself is packed with humour, heart and imagination. Alice especially loved the moment when foam rained down onto the audience — it completely surprised her and she thought it was brilliant. It’s little touches like that which make live theatre feel exciting and immersive for children. A fun, fast-paced mythological adventure that works especially well for families — and one that definitely leaves younger audience members smiling. If you’d like to read a more in-depth theatre-focused review of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical at HOME Manchester , you can find my full review over on All About Theatre   here: The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is at HOME Manchester until Saturday 21st February 2026. Tickets are available via the venue website . If you’d like more information about the show, you can also visit the official production website. Our tickets for this performance were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review.

My Night at the Theatre I headed to The Lowry on Tuesday 20th January for the press night of Murder at Midnight . I was actually supposed to be going with my mum, but she was unwell on the day, so instead I made my way to the theatre on my own. The performance took place in The Lowry’s Quays Theatre, with an 8.00pm start time, and even before the show began there was a real buzz in the auditorium. I collected my programme, found my seat and settled in for the evening. I was seated in the stalls, Row J, Seat 4, and I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better spot. I had an excellent view of the stage, plenty of leg room, and the seat itself was really comfortable — always a bonus for a longer show. With a running time of around 2 hours and 10 minutes including an interval, it felt like a full and satisfying night at the theatre without ever dragging. The Story (Without Spoilers) Murder at Midnight  is set on New Year’s Eve and opens after something has already gone very wrong. The police are on the scene, the house is in chaos, and you instantly know this is not a night that’s ended well. From there, the story rewinds to show how a group of very different people all ended up under the same roof. At the centre of it all is Jonny, a gangster known as “The Cyclops”, who arrives home unexpectedly to surprise his girlfriend Lisa and his mum Shirley. What follows is a collision of secrets, disguises, misunderstandings and very bad timing. There’s an undercover policeman trying to get close to Lisa, a burglar in a clown mask who is completely out of his depth, and several characters just trying to survive the night as everything slowly spirals out of control. Rather than being a traditional whodunnit, the play is much more about watching the chaos unfold and seeing just how spectacularly things can go wrong as midnight approaches. The Set & Atmosphere One of the things I loved most about this production was the set. The split-level design means you’re watching action take place across multiple rooms at once, with characters narrowly missing each other or overhearing conversations they really shouldn’t. From my seat in the stalls, it was really easy to take everything in and follow what was happening across the different levels. By the interval, it was already clear that the audience were completely on board. There was plenty of laughter, a few shocked gasps, and that lovely sense of shared experience you get when everyone around you is fully engaged in what’s unfolding on stage. The Performances The cast fully commit to the madness of this piece, which is exactly what it needs. Jason Durr is brilliant as Jonny, managing to be both unsettling and funny at the same time. Susie Blake is an absolute joy as Shirley, and by the second half, the audience were already laughing in anticipation before she even spoke. Katie McGlynn and Max Bowden bring great energy to the story, and the ensemble as a whole work incredibly well together. With so much happening on stage, it could easily feel overwhelming, but instead it feels fast-paced, intentional and genuinely entertaining. Age Guidance Murder at Midnight  comes with an age guide of 14+ and contains strong language, violence and references to drug use. It’s definitely one for older teens and adults rather than a family theatre trip, but it’s worth being aware of the content before booking. Final Thoughts By the time the curtain call came around, it felt like the whole audience had been on a wild ride together. Murder at Midnight  is loud, chaotic, dark and unapologetically over-the-top — and it knows exactly what it is. Even though my evening didn’t quite go to plan, it turned into a really enjoyable solo theatre trip and a reminder that sometimes those unexpected nights out can be just as memorable. A fast-paced night of twists, laughs and chaos Murder at Midnight  will be at The Lowry until Saturday, 24th January 2026. Tickets are available for purchase through this link Click Me For more information about the show, visit the official website at this link Click Me

The Night Out Lawrence and I headed to The Lowry on Tuesday 3rd February 2026 to see MÁM , and from the moment we arrived it felt like it was going to be a very different kind of theatre night. As we entered the theatre, we were handed a free little programme, which is always a lovely touch. We then headed over to the press desk to collect our tickets before taking a look at the merch available in the foyer. For anyone who likes to plan ahead (I definitely do), this is exactly what was on sale on the night: CD – Tunes in the Church  – £13 Book – Title of My People  – £17 CD – In To The Loam  – £17 CD – Concertina Album A/B  – £17 Concertina vinyl  – £30 It was a really thoughtful selection and felt very in keeping with the tone and atmosphere of the show. Seats & View We were seated in the stalls, Row M, seats 32 and 33 . These were side seats, but honestly the view was excellent. We never felt like we were missing anything, and the sightlines were really clear throughout. The seats themselves were also very comfortable, with plenty of legroom – which is always appreciated, especially as MÁM  runs straight through with no interval. The Show MÁM  runs for 80 minutes with no interval, and it fully pulls you in from the start. This isn’t a show with a clear, traditional storyline. Instead, it unfolds more like a series of moments and emotions. The dancers feel like a community – coming together, breaking apart, clashing, reconnecting, celebrating and grieving – sometimes gently and sometimes with huge bursts of energy. Although the piece is rooted in rural Irish life, it never feels literal or obvious. It’s much more about atmosphere, shared history and emotion, and it invites you to interpret what you’re watching in your own way. A young girl remains present throughout the performance, quietly observing everything that unfolds around her. She becomes a calm, steady presence amid all the movement, and your eye is often drawn back to her as everything else swirls around the stage. Movement, Music & Atmosphere Visually, MÁM  is quite stripped back, which I really loved. Nothing feels overdesigned, and your attention stays exactly where it should be – on the dancers and the connection between movement and music. The choreography is intense and physically demanding. The dancers are constantly in motion, moving as a collective one moment and then breaking into smaller groups or individual moments the next. There’s a real sense of stamina and commitment running through the entire piece. One of the standout elements for me was the live music , especially the concertina, which is played on stage throughout. It never feels like background music. Instead, the music and the dancers feel completely connected, almost as though they’re responding to each other in real time. At times the music feels traditional, at others more modern and unexpected, and it adds so much to the emotional weight of the performance. After the Curtain Call There was a free post-show talk and Q&A after the performance, which Lawrence and I would have loved to stay for, but we had to head back home to the kids. If you’re able to stay, it sounded like a really great opportunity to hear more about the piece and the creative process behind it. It’s also worth noting that MÁM  was only at The Lowry for two days, but it is currently on tour, so if it’s coming to a venue near you, it’s definitely one to consider. Final Thoughts MÁM  is one of those shows that’s quite hard to explain, but incredibly easy to feel. It’s intense, emotional, strange and, at times, very beautiful – and it stays with you long after you leave the theatre. It’s not like anything else I’ve seen before, and that’s exactly what made it so special. You can find out more information and book tickets for the show at this Link Disclosure Tickets to see MÁM  were gifted to me for the purpose of writing a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Hello Kitty Cafe at Manchester Primark is a delightful homage to the beloved pop culture icon, celebrating 50 years of Hello Kitty in the most charming way possible. Located inside both the Market Street and Trafford Centre stores, this café offers fans the opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant and whimsical world of Hello Kitty, complete with Instagram-worthy décor and an array of themed treats. As soon as you step inside, you're greeted by a sea of pink and red, with colourful cupcakes, doughnuts, and bows decorating the space. The café is a visual feast that captures the essence of Hello Kitty's signature kawaii style. Whether you're a lifelong fan or just looking for a fun and unique experience, the café's cute aesthetic is sure to bring a smile to your face. The menu at the Hello Kitty Café is just as delightful as the décor, featuring a variety of limited-edition items inspired by the iconic character. I decided to try the Kitty Pink Milkshake, a strawberry delight topped with whipped cream and a pink iced doughnut. At £5.95, it was a bit indulgent, but the presentation was so charming that it felt worth every penny. The shake was sweet and creamy, and the doughnut added a fun twist to the experience. Lawrence opted for the Pineapple Bubble Tea with mango boba, priced at £4.95. The tropical flavours were refreshing, and the boba added a nice texture, making it a perfect choice for fans of bubble tea. We both ordered our own portions of the BBQ Pulled Pork Bow Buns, which are served as a pair for £6.50. The buns were soft and filled with flavourful pulled pork, though Lawrence mentioned that the portion size left him a bit hungry afterward. In addition to the café, Primark has launched a new Hello Kitty collection in collaboration with Sanrio, featuring over 100 items across womenswear, kidswear, and homeware. The collection embodies Hello Kitty's timeless charm and includes everything from cosy loungewear to playful accessories, making it a must-see for any fan. Overall, the Hello Kitty Café at Manchester Primark is a must-visit for anyone who loves all things cute and sweet. The café's fun and delicious food options, coupled with its adorable décor, make it a delightful spot for a break from shopping or a whimsical outing with friends. Whether you're enjoying a milkshake, bubble tea, or the irresistible Bow Buns, you're sure to leave with a smile on your face. The Hello Kitty Café will be open until June, so there's plenty of time to step into this purr-featly delightful world. The café at Trafford Centre operates from 10 am to 5 pm Monday to Thursday, 10 am to 6 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11:30 am to 5 pm on Sundays. The Market Street location is open from 9 am to 6 pm Monday to Saturday, and 10:30 am to 4 pm on Sundays. Make sure to visit before this kawaii pop-up closes for the season!