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Family Weekly Update Some weeks feel full of preparation and build-up, and this was definitely one of them! From baking and party prep to a lovely family celebration and a well-timed rest day, this week had a really nice mix of busy moments and slower, cosy ones. Here’s everything we got up to during our week of 16th – 22nd March. St Patrick’s Day Prep Begins 🍀🧁 On Monday, I got started on all the preparations for our St Patrick’s Day party, beginning with baking cupcakes and biscuits. I managed to get the cupcakes decorated, but by the evening I started to get quite a bad toothache, so I ended up heading to bed earlier than planned and left the biscuits to finish the next day. On Tuesday morning, I finished decorating the biscuits and carried on with the party prep. I was supposed to be heading to The Lowry that evening to review a show, but because of the toothache I decided it was best to stay home and rest. Later in the evening, once I was feeling a bit better, I made some more themed treats including leprechaun chocolate hats, chocolate lollies and chocolate-covered breadsticks, which all turned out really well. Our St Patrick’s Day Party 🍀🎉 Wednesday was finally party day! While the kids were at school, Lawrence and I got everything ready. I focused on preparing the food, while Lawrence cleaned the house and put up all the decorations. For the party food, I made shamrock pizzas , puff pastry wrapped hot dogs and green lemonade , which all went down really well. By the time everyone arrived at around 6pm, everything was ready to go. We started with food and then moved on to games, including find the leprechaun’s treasure and pin the shamrock on the leprechaun’s hat, which were lots of fun. It was such a lovely evening, and all the prep was definitely worth it seeing everyone enjoy themselves. A Well-Deserved Rest Day 🛁✨ After such a busy few days, Thursday became a much-needed rest day. I slowed everything right down and treated myself to a long, relaxing bath using one of the bath bombs I got for Mother’s Day. It was exactly what I needed after all the party prep and running around earlier in the week. A Late Mother’s Day Treat 💐🍽️ On Friday, I took my mum out for a late Mother’s Day lunch at Nando’s, which was really nice. After lunch, we had a little look around the shops before heading home — a simple but really lovely way to spend some time together. A Cosy Weekend at Home 🎬✨ Over the weekend, things were a bit more relaxed. I spent some time writing blog posts, creating reels and catching up on housework. We also had some really cosy family time watching Toy Story films with the kids, which they absolutely loved. It was such a nice way to slow things down after a busy week. Final Thoughts 💛 This week felt like a really nice balance of preparation, celebration and slowing down when needed. From baking and party planning to a fun family evening and a bit of self-care, it had a bit of everything. Sometimes it’s those busy, creative weeks that end up being the most rewarding — especially when everything comes together in the end. 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 #446, below — come and join us for St Patrick’s Day baking, party prep, family moments and a little bit of everyday life.

✨ A Theatre Night with My Dad On Tuesday 24th March, my dad and I headed to The Lowry to see Eric & Ern , a tribute to Morecambe and Wise. My mum dropped us off opposite the Imperial War Museum North, and from there we walked across the bridge towards The Lowry. It was absolutely chucking it down 🌧️ and so windy that an umbrella didn’t stand a chance, so we just pulled our coat hoods up and made a dash for it. Luckily, it’s not too far to walk! We arrived at The Lowry at around 7:30pm, where I picked up my information sheet and drinks vouchers from the box office before heading over to the Quays Theatre. 🥤 Drinks & Getting Settled We decided to use our drinks vouchers straight away rather than wait for the interval. I went for a lemonade, and my dad chose a Guinness 0.0 — a nice little pre-show treat before heading into the auditorium. Our seats were in the stalls, Tier Row O, seats 37 & 38. We were sat slightly to the side rather than centrally, but as you can see from the photo, the view of the stage was still really good and nothing felt obstructed. The only downside for me was that after a while I did find the chair a little uncomfortable, but overall it was still a great place to sit. 🎭 What to Expect from Eric & Ern The show is presented in a variety-style format, recreating the feel of a classic Morecambe and Wise television special. It’s made up of a mix of comedy sketches, musical moments and a few bits of audience interaction, all tied together with that nostalgic, old-school charm. Even though I didn’t recognise many of the sketches myself, you could tell they were incredibly well recreated. The timing, mannerisms and chemistry between the two performers were really impressive, and it was easy to see why so many people in the audience were enjoying it. There’s also a musical guest element, which adds a nice bit of variety and breaks up the comedy throughout the evening. 🎭 The Show Experience The show itself was 1 hour 50 minutes long, with a 20-minute interval. As someone who’s only ever seen a few clips of Morecambe and Wise, I didn’t recognise quite a few of the sketches. However, the atmosphere in the theatre was brilliant — there was lots of laughter throughout, and it was clear that many people were reliving memories of watching the originals. During the interval, my dad and I had a chat about what we thought so far. I said it isn’t really my type of humour, but I thought the two performers were incredibly good at what they do. My dad 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. ⭐ Second Act We both agreed that the second act was better than the first. It felt like it really found its rhythm, and we both enjoyed it even more as it went on. Even though it’s not entirely my personal style of comedy, I really appreciated the performances and the atmosphere in the theatre. Seeing how much my dad enjoyed it made the evening even more special. It turned into such a lovely night out — a mix of theatre, nostalgia and spending quality time together 💛 💭 Final Thoughts Eric & Ern at The Lowry  is a warm, nostalgic show that clearly resonates with audiences who grew up with Morecambe and Wise. While it might not be everyone’s style of humour (especially if, like me, you don’t have that same connection), it’s still a really enjoyable evening with strong performances and a great atmosphere. And honestly, seeing my dad laugh the whole way through made it completely worth it 🥰 *Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review.

Weekly Update This weekly update is a mix of Easter prep, birthday shopping, a lovely theatre trip and celebrating Mother’s Day a little early. From Haribo treats and school concerts to St Patrick’s Day crafts and a magical morning at Z-arts, it ended up being a really full but fun week. Here’s everything we got up to during our week of 9th – 15th March. Editing & A Productive Start 🎬 On Monday, I started the week as I usually do — editing last week’s weekly vlog. It always takes up most of the day, but I do like getting it finished and uploaded before the new week properly gets going. It’s become a bit of a Monday routine now and a nice way to ease into the week. Easter Shopping & Trafford Centre Wandering 🛍️🍗 Tuesday was Lawrence’s day off work, so we got the bus to ASDA in the hope of picking up everything we needed for Easter. Unfortunately, they didn’t really have their Easter range out yet — just Easter eggs, which actually seemed quite expensive as there were no multibuy offers on like there usually are. Because of that, we decided not to buy any there. After that, we headed across to the Trafford Centre where we grabbed some lunch from KFC before having a little wander around the shops. We popped into Lush and the Haribo shop, where I bought a Haribo mystery bag. On the way home, we stopped at our local Home Bargains to see what Easter bits they had in, and I had much more luck there. I managed to get everything I wanted for the kids’ Easter baskets, which felt like a big win after not finding what I needed in ASDA. We then went to Aldi and picked up some Easter eggs, which were much cheaper than the ones in ASDA. Blog Work & Organising Craft Supplies 🏡✨ Wednesday was a quieter day at home. I spent the day working on my blog and organising my craft supplies, which definitely needed doing. It always feels so much better when everything is sorted properly and easy to find, especially when I’ve got lots of projects on the go. Birthday Shopping in Manchester 🎮🎁 On Thursday, Lawrence was off again so we headed into Manchester city centre to look for a few bits for Leo’s birthday. First, we went into CEX because Leo had asked for a Yoshi game for his Switch. They did have one in stock, but unfortunately they couldn’t find the box, so we decided to leave it and see if we could find another one complete elsewhere. After that, we went to The Entertainer where I managed to pick up some Super Mario wrapping paper and a birthday card, which was helpful. We then went to Argos and bought a Switch game, so that was another thing ticked off the list. We grabbed lunch from KFC again before heading home. A Proud Mum Moment & A St Patrick’s Day Craft 🎶🍀 On Friday, Alice was taking part in a singing concert with her school at Waterside Arts. Lawrence and I went along to watch her and she did so well. It was so lovely to see her up there joining in and taking part, and it definitely felt like a proud mum moment. Later that day, when the kids got home from school, we made a shamrock paper chain craft  together, which was really fun and a lovely little activity to do as a family. Brave Bettie & Early Mother’s Day Celebrations 🎭💐 Lawrence was going to be working all day on Sunday, so we decided to celebrate Mother’s Day a day early on Saturday. In the morning, we took the kids to Z-arts to see Brave Bettie  (gifted tickets), and it was such a lovely start to our day. We always try to arrive a little early when we visit Z-arts because there are lots of fun things for the children to explore before the show. Alice and Leo headed straight to the big red bus in the downstairs play area, where Alice quickly decided she was the driver and “picked us up” before driving us all to the show, which was really sweet to watch. After that, we went upstairs to the café area, where there’s a little play kitchen. The children happily spent time making pretend lunch for me and Lawrence while we waited, which is always such a nice, relaxed way to start the visit. The show itself was a magical woodland adventure full of storytelling, music and lots of moments for the audience to join in. Alice and Leo were both picked to share their favourite animals before the show started, which they absolutely loved and really helped them feel part of the experience. It was such a lovely, engaging show and a really special family morning. 👉 You can read more about our visit in my Brave Bettie review at Z-arts Manchester  on my blog, or my Brave Bettie All About Theatre review  for a more in-depth look at the show. After the show, we got the bus to Coppice Wood Farm for lunch. Alice and Leo loved playing in the play area while we waited for the food to arrive. I had the carvery, Lawrence went for the chicken tikka masala, and the kids had chicken nuggets with chips and garlic bread. After lunch, we got the bus home and spent the afternoon watching Zootropolis 2  on Disney+, which was a really nice way to relax after a busy morning. St Patrick’s Day Prep 🍀 On Sunday, the children and I spent some time getting ready for our St Patrick’s Day party later in the week. We made some shamrock pretzels  and also made leprechaun hats  for the kids to wear on Wednesday. It was such a fun little activity and got us all excited for our party. Final Thoughts 💫 This week felt like a really nice mix of productive days, family time and a few special moments. From Alice’s concert to our early Mother’s Day celebrations and getting organised for both Easter and St Patrick’s Day, it’s been a week full of little highlights. And now everything is starting to feel very busy with upcoming birthdays, celebrations and lots more content to come. 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 #445  over on my YouTube channel — including our Easter shopping trip, Manchester day out, theatre visit and family moments along the way.

🍀 Shamrock Mini Pizzas – A Fun St Patrick’s Day Treat If you’re looking for a super simple, fun, and festive food idea, these shamrock mini pizzas  are absolutely perfect! We made these for our St Patrick’s Day celebrations and they were such a hit—especially because they’re so easy to customise. They’re ideal for picky eaters, quick party food, or just a fun kitchen activity with the kids. Alice and Leo loved using the cookie cutter to stamp out the shamrock shapes—it was definitely their favourite part before we even got to the toppings! 💚 🛒 Ingredients Tortilla wraps Tomato purée Cheese of your choice We used Red Leicester and Mild Cheddar to represent the orange and white of the Irish flag Green peppers (for the green in the flag 🍀) Ham Pepperoni Optional: any other toppings your family loves 👩‍🍳 Method Line two baking trays with greaseproof paper or baking paper. Use a large shamrock cookie cutter to cut shapes from your tortilla wraps. We made 14 shamrocks You can usually get around 3 shamrocks per tortilla Add a small blob of tomato purée to each shamrock and spread it to cover the base. If needed, grate your cheese and sprinkle it evenly over each pizza. Add your toppings (pepperoni, ham, and green peppers—or whatever your family prefers). Place in the oven at 200°C for around 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Remove from the oven, allow to cool slightly, and serve. 💡 Top Tips ✨ Great for picky eaters—keep toppings simple or let kids customise their own ✨ Perfect for lunchboxes, party platters, or after-school snacks ✨ You can swap toppings to suit any theme (not just St Patrick’s Day!) ✨ No cookie cutter?  Draw a shamrock on card, place it on the wrap and carefully cut around it with a knife—it takes a little longer but works just as well 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Why We Loved This This is exactly the kind of recipe I love sharing—quick, affordable, and fun for the whole family. There’s something about turning everyday food into something themed that just makes it feel a bit more magical—and these shamrock pizzas definitely brought that extra bit of joy to our day 💚

🍀 Leprechaun Hat Treats Recipe If you’re looking for a fun and easy St Patrick’s Day treat, these Leprechaun Hat biscuits are absolutely perfect! We made these for our St Patrick’s Day celebrations and they were such a hit — not just because they look adorable, but because they’re super simple to make too. They’re ideal for: Party food 🍀 School treats 🍀 A fun kitchen activity with the kids 🍀 And the best part? No baking required! 🛒 Ingredients Oreo biscuits (or any large round biscuits) Marshmallows White chocolate Milk chocolate Green oil based food colouring Shamrock sprinkles (optional) 👩‍🍳 How to Make Leprechaun Hat Treats Step 1 Line a tray with baking paper. Step 2 Split the Oreo biscuits in half and place them onto the tray (cream side up works best). Step 3 Melt the white chocolate in the microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring between each burst until fully melted. Step 4 Add a couple of drops of green oil based food colouring to the melted chocolate and stir it in. Add a couple of drops at a time until you get your desired colour. Step 5 Add a small amount of melted white chocolate to the bottom of each marshmallow and place it on top of a biscuit to form the hat shape. Step 6 Place in the fridge for 10 minutes to set and secure the marshmallow to the biscuit. Step 7 Insert a wooden skewer into the top of each marshmallow. Dip the whole marshmallow into the melted chocolate until fully covered. Gently shake off any excess and place back onto the lined tray. . Step 8 Repeat until all hats are coated in chocolate Step 9 Place in the fridge for 10 minutes  to set. Step 10 While they are setting, melt the milk chocolate (again in 20-second bursts) and transfer it into an icing bag. Step 11 Remove the hats from the fridge and pipe a chocolate band around each one to look like a leprechaun hat band. Add a shamrock sprinkle before the chocolate sets. Step 12 Return to the fridge for 15 minutes  until fully set — then they’re ready to enjoy! ✨ Tips & Variations You can use any biscuit slightly larger than the marshmallow to create the “hat brim” Add gold sprinkles for a “pot of gold” look ✨ Use dark chocolate instead for a richer flavour Perfect for little helpers — kids will love decorating these! 💚 Final Thoughts These Leprechaun Hat treats are one of those recipes that look impressive but are actually incredibly easy to make — which is always a win! They’re fun, festive, and just a little bit magical… the perfect way to add some St Patrick’s Day sparkle to your celebrations 🍀 A bite-sized treat that’s as lucky as it is delicious! ✨

🍋 A Fun St Patrick’s Day Drink We Tried at Home For our St Patrick’s Day party this year, we wanted something fun, festive… and most importantly, something the kids would actually drink! Alice and Leo love lemonade, so we decided to give it a little St Patrick’s twist — turning it bright green 🍀 And honestly? It turned out so much better than I expected! The secret ingredient is spinach (don’t worry, you can’t taste it at all), which gives the lemonade its vibrant green colour without using any artificial food colouring. 🛒 Ingredients 300g granulated sugar 10 lemons (approx. 360ml lemon juice) A handful of baby spinach 3 litres water 🥤 How to Make Green Lemonade 1. Juice the lemons Slice your lemons in half and squeeze out the juice.(I use a lemon juicer which makes this much easier!) 2. Blend the spinach Add the baby spinach to a blender along with 1 litre of water. Blend for around 60 seconds, until completely smooth. 3. Strain the spinach water Place a sieve over a jug and slowly pour the spinach mixture through.This removes all the pulp so you’re left with smooth green liquid. 4. Add the sugar Pour the granulated sugar into a large pitcher. 5. Add the lemon juice Pour in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and stir until the sugar has fully dissolved. 6. Add the water Add the remaining 2 litres of water  and stir. 7. Add the green magic 🍀 Pour in the strained spinach water and mix everything together. ✨ Our Thoughts This was such a fun one to make, and it looked amazing on our St Patrick’s Day party table! The best part is that it’s: ✔️ Naturally coloured ✔️ Easy to make ✔️ Great for kids ✔️ Perfect for parties And most importantly… the kids loved it (and had no idea it contained spinach 😄). 💡 Top Tips Chill before serving for the best flavour Serve with ice and lemon slices for a party-ready look You can adjust the sugar slightly depending on how sweet you like it 🍀 Final Thoughts If you’re looking for a fun, easy and slightly magical drink for St Patrick’s Day, this green lemonade is such a lovely one to try. Such a fun little party drink that looks so magical on the table – and even better, the kids absolutely loved it! 🍀 ✨

Brave Bettie -A Magical Woodland Adventure for Young Theatre-Goers Family theatre trips are some of my favourite days out, especially when the show is designed to spark imagination and gently encourage children to join in with the story. Brave Bettie at Z-arts Manchester is a charming family theatre show for children aged 3–8, blending storytelling, music and audience interaction into a magical woodland adventure that completely captured the children’s attention. Our Visit to Z-arts On Saturday 14th March, we caught the bus into Manchester to see the 11am performance of Brave Bettie  at Z-arts. One of the things I really like about visiting Z-arts is how easy it is to get to. The bus stops just across the road from the venue, which makes travelling with children really simple. We caught the 9:55am bus and arrived at Z-arts around 10:10am, giving us plenty of time before the show started. Whenever we visit Z-arts we always try to arrive early because there are lots of fun things for children to explore before heading into the theatre. Alice and Leo’s first stop was the big red bus in the downstairs play area. Alice quickly decided she was the driver and “picked us up” from the bus stop before driving us all to Z-arts for the show. After that we headed upstairs to the café area, which is right next to the theatre doors. There’s a lovely little play kitchen there, and the children happily spent time making pretend lunch for me and Lawrence while we waited for the theatre to open. At 10:55am, a bell rang and there was an anouncement that let everyone know the doors were opening. We were seated in Row G, seats 14–17, and as always at Z-arts the view was excellent. The theatre is really well raked, which means children can see the stage clearly even if you’re sitting further back. The Story Brave Bettie  begins with Bettie reading a story about Paida Moyo, a legendary figure from Zimbabwean mythology known for her bravery. Bettie loves spending time in the woodland near her home and sees it as her special place. When she discovers that the council plans to cut down her favourite tree and turn the forest into a car park, she feels devastated. Wanting to be brave enough to help save the forest, Bettie wishes on a star. That’s when something magical happens — Paida Moyo appears, stepping straight out of Bettie’s storybook and into Bettie’s world. Together, the two set out on a woodland adventure to try and protect the forest and the animals who live there. Along the way the story explores themes of friendship, courage and believing in yourself, all brought to life through storytelling, music and audience participation. The Show Experience Before the show even began, one of the performers was already on stage chatting with the audience while everyone found their seats. She taught the children a few words in the Shona language, as well as a rain dance that would be used later during the story. She also asked the children to shout out their favourite animals, choosing a few audience members to share theirs. Both Alice (8) and Leo (6) were picked, which they absolutely loved. Alice said her favourite animal was a penguin, while Leo proudly chose a giraffe. The show itself mixes storytelling, music and audience participation, with plenty of moments where the children are encouraged to join in. Alice particularly loved the moment where Bettie helps a hedgehog collect leaves to help camouflage it, while Leo’s favourite part was when the audience joined in with the rain dance to help fill the Beaver’s dried-up lake with water. Seeing the children around us joining in with the dancing and shouting out answers made the whole performance feel lively and engaging. At a Glance 📍 Venue:  Z-arts, Manchester ⏱ Running Time:  50 minutes (no interval) 👧 Age Recommendation:  Suitable for ages 3–8 🎭 Company:  Half Moon 🌳 Themes:  Friendship, courage, imagination and caring for nature 💃 Interactive Elements:  Audience participation, dancing and learning new words ☕ Facilities:  Café, children’s play areas and a small library space 🚗 Parking:  Z-arts does not have its own car park , but the venue is easy to reach by public transport A Lovely Family Day Out in Manchester If you're looking for things to do with kids in Manchester, a visit to Z-arts is always a fantastic option. With its welcoming atmosphere, play areas, café and regular programme of family theatre, it’s a brilliant venue for family days out in Manchester. Pairing a theatre show like Brave Bettie  with some time exploring the play spaces makes it a really enjoyable morning or afternoon out with children. If you’d like to read my full theatre review of Brave Bettie, including more details about the production and performances, you can find it over on my theatre website All About Theatre . Final Thoughts Brave Bettie  is a thoughtful and imaginative piece of children’s theatre that blends storytelling, music and audience participation into a magical woodland adventure. With engaging performances and plenty of opportunities for children to join in, it’s a lovely introduction to theatre for younger audiences. Both Alice and Leo really enjoyed it, especially the moments where they could take part in the story. A magical theatre adventure that left our little audience completely captivated 🌳✨ Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review.

Last Saturday (28th February 2026) we headed off on a little family adventure from Manchester to Liverpool to see Disney On Ice Presents Into The Magic at the M&S Bank Arena — and it turned into one of those really special days that the kids will remember for a long time. This was Alice and Leo’s first time ever seeing Disney characters live, so excitement levels were already very high before we’d even left the house. Our Journey to Liverpool We started the morning by getting the tram into Manchester Piccadilly to catch the 10:54 train to Liverpool Lime Street. We arrived quite early — which was lucky because I hadn’t had any breakfast — so we quickly popped into Greggs just outside the station where I grabbed a bacon roll and orange juice, and the kids chose chocolate star biscuits for the train. Platform 14 is one of the furthest platforms at Piccadilly, so we headed down early and waited there. Our train ended up being about five minutes delayed, but once we were on, we found a table seat and settled in. One thing I always love is that we never need to bring entertainment for train journeys — Alice and Leo are completely happy just looking out of the window the whole time. The journey takes around an hour, and we arrived in Liverpool just after midday. Lunch Before the Show Once we arrived, we walked straight across to St John’s Shopping Centre (literally opposite the station) to grab some lunch before heading to the docks. Alice and Leo had Happy Meals from McDonald’s, while Lawrence and I went for KFC — quick, easy and perfect before a busy afternoon. After lunch, we walked down towards the waterfront and the M&S Bank Arena. It’s about a 20-minute walk, but we took our time and had a little look around the docks, so it was probably closer to 30 minutes. We arrived at the arena around 1:40pm, with doors opening an hour before the show. Security was very straightforward — we walked through scanners, and although the website says you can’t bring outside food or drink, they didn’t say anything about the water and juice we had in our bags (I think they’re often more relaxed for family shows). Merchandise (and Expensive Bubble Wands!) As soon as we got inside, the kids were immediately drawn to the merchandise stands — there were lots of them around the arena which helped keep queues manageable. The merch is definitely pricey. We had planned to bring Alice’s Little Mermaid bubble wand from home, but it stopped working the night before, so we ended up buying a Mickey one at the venue for £33. That felt very expensive, so we just bought one for them to share — although it definitely added to the excitement once the show started. There were loads of options though — plush toys, light-up wands, costumes, T-shirts, popcorn buckets and more. Our Seats We were seated in Block 10, Row JJ, which is in the upper tier but still offered a really good central view of the ice. We could clearly see the characters and choreography, and it was actually a great perspective for the big ensemble numbers. I’d definitely sit there again. The Show — Pure Disney Magic From the moment the lights dimmed and the arena filled with colour, the atmosphere felt magical. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy opened the show before the stories began, which instantly had the kids excited — especially seeing Mickey and friends live for the first time. The show is made up of different Disney stories, which works really well for younger audiences because the pace stays fast and exciting. Beauty and the Beast This section featured a huge castle set and the iconic Be Our Guest  number, which was full of colour, energy and large ensemble skating. It was such a strong opening to the show, and the romantic Tale as Old as Time  duet between Belle and the Beast added a lovely fairytale moment. Coco The Coco segment looked completely different visually, with glowing skeleton costumes and vibrant lighting creating a Day of the Dead atmosphere. Even though I’m less familiar with the songs from this film, it was still really engaging to watch. Tangled Tangled was a big highlight for us — especially Alice, who absolutely loves Maximus the horse. Seeing him brought to life on the ice made her so happy. Rapunzel and Flynn’s aerial sequences added something really special, and one magical moment involved a child from the audience holding a lantern before releasing it as it soared up into the air. The arena went completely quiet watching it — such a lovely interactive touch. The big ensemble numbers I’ve Got a Dream  and Something That I Want  were really impressive too, filling the entire rink with movement and energy. Interval Snacks During the interval I caved and bought Alice the popcorn she really wanted — which came in a Mickey popcorn bucket for £15. Worth it? Probably for the memories 😄 Cinderella After the interval, Cinderella began with the Fairy Godmother casting her spell before Cinderella appeared in a beautiful transparent carriage that glided across the ice. The ballroom scene with the Prince was elegant and romantic, and the glass slipper search included audience interaction with characters pretending to try the shoe on audience members’ feet before finding Cinderella. Frozen Frozen was one of the biggest highlights for the audience. Snow effects, dramatic lighting and Elsa performing Let It Go  from an elevated staircase platform created a really powerful moment. Lots of children were singing along — including ours. Moana The finale story was Moana, featuring a moving boat set that travelled across the ice. Maui appeared early in the sequence, bringing humour and energy, followed by Tamatoa the giant crab during the Shiny  number — complete with disco-ball style lighting that scattered sparkles across the arena. It looked incredible. The show ended with a grand finale featuring characters from across the stories skating together before waving goodbye to the audience. Merchandise & Snack Prices There were multiple merchandise stands around the arena, which helped keep queues manageable, although prices are definitely on the higher side (which is fairly typical for arena shows like Disney On Ice). Here’s a full list of the merchandise available when we visited: Toys & Light-Up Items Mickey Light-Up Bubble Wand — £33 Stitch Bubble Gun — £26 Light-Up Wand (various designs) — £33 Spinning Wands (various designs) — £28 Light-Up Maui Hook — £33 Light-Up Tiara — £16 Mickey Binoculars — £15 Mickey on a Motorcycle Toy — £16 Mickey & Minnie Figurines — £16 Princess Figurines — £16 each Buzz Lightyear Light-Up Blaster — £26 Woody Hat — £14 Mickey Sword — £25 Plush Toys Stitch Plush — £32 Maui Plush — £35 Hei Hei Chicken Plush — £25 Pua Plush — £25 Thumper Plush — £32 Small Mickey Plush — £20 Small Minnie Plush — £20 Large Mickey Plush — £50 Large Minnie Plush — £50 Lightning McQueen Plush — £32 Princess Plush Dolls — £32 each Clothing & Accessories Mickey T-Shirt — £20 Princess Power T-Shirt — £20 Moana T-Shirt — £20 Olaf T-Shirt — £20 Princess Cap — £20 Necklaces — £14 Light-Up Ears — £28 Disney On Ice Reusable Bag — £5 Programme — £12 Snacks & Souvenirs Popcorn with Mickey Popcorn Bucket — £15 Candy Floss with Olaf Hat / Stitch Hat / Crown — £15–£16 Snow Cone with Character Cup — £14–£15 Photo Opportunity There was also a photo opportunity with an Olaf cardboard cut-out and icy backdrop: Standard Cardboard Frame — £13 Disney Character Frame — £16 💡 Top Tip:  If you already have Disney toys at home, it’s worth bringing them with you — many children were using toys they’d brought from previous visits. Sensory Notes There are occasional loud sound effects and flashes of lighting throughout the show, which add excitement but may be worth noting for younger or more noise-sensitive children. Disney On Ice Presents Into The Magic Final Thoughts There’s no denying that Disney On Ice is completely magical . Sitting there listening to the songs and singing along with the kids definitely brought back all the nostalgic feelings for me too. What makes it special isn’t just the skating or the production — it’s seeing the joy on your children’s faces and sharing that excitement together. For Alice and Leo’s first time seeing Disney characters live, it couldn’t have been more perfect. A truly memory-making family experience. Tour Information Disney On Ice Presents Into The Magic is touring the UK throughout 2026. You can find more information about the show and book tickets on the official Disney On Ice website. If you’d like to read a more detailed review of the production itself, including staging and performance insights, you can visit my full theatre review over on All About Theatre .

On Monday 23rd February, I headed into Manchester to see the first performance of the Mean Girls UK Tour at Manchester Opera House — and honestly, it turned into such a fun theatre night. The show started at 7:30pm, but I made an afternoon of it. I got the tram into town around 5pm, grabbed some food from KFC in the Manchester Arndale food court, and had a quick wander around Primark before walking up to the theatre. I arrived at the Opera House around 6:40pm, took a few photos outside, and then headed in to soak up the atmosphere before the show. Merch Stand & Pre-Show Experience One of the first things I always do when I arrive at a theatre is check the merch stand (I can’t resist adding to my collection), and Mean Girls had loads available. Some of the merch included: Logo T-shirt £30 Wednesdays T-shirt £30 Doesn’t Go Here Hoodie £48 Fetch cap £25 Fetch beanie £25 Socks £18 Get In Loser Tote Bag £15 Pin £9 Magnet £9 Cool Mom keyring £10 Badge set £10 Sticker set £8 Sexy Compact Mirror £12 You Go Glen Coco Bauble £15 Fans £10–£18 Cast and film soundtrack CDs £22 Queen Bee book £12 Programme £6 I bought a magnet and a programme for my collection — which felt very on brand for me! Seats & View — Budget Ticket Win Once the auditorium opened, I headed up to the Circle to find my seat. I was sitting in: Circle — Row Q, Seat 23 (£15 ticket) This is right at the back of the Circle, but the view was actually very good. I could see the stage clearly, and I’d definitely sit there again. It also felt like that row had slightly more legroom compared to some others I’ve experienced, which is always a bonus. I was in my seat by 7:05pm, so I had plenty of time to read through the programme before the show started. The Show Mean Girls is one of those films that I grew up loving, so I went in with a mix of excitement and curiosity about how it would translate to the stage — and it absolutely delivers. The story follows Cady Heron, who moves from being home-schooled in Africa to navigating the complicated world of American high school for the first time. She befriends outsiders Janis and Damian, who introduce her to the school’s social hierarchy — including the infamous Plastics, led by Regina George. What follows is a hilarious, chaotic and surprisingly relatable journey through friendship, identity and popularity, packed with iconic lines and big musical numbers. The production itself is energetic, funny and full of attitude. The music has huge pop energy, the choreography is sharp and dynamic, and visually it’s bright, modern and constantly moving. There are so many standout moments throughout the show, but Janis’ I’d Rather Be Me  is a real showstopper that gets a huge audience reaction. Interval Surprise The interval was around 20 minutes long, and during the break I realised my brother was actually sitting a few rows in front of me — which was a lovely surprise — so I went to chat with him before Act Two started. End of the Night The show finished at around 10pm after a runtime of approximately 2 hours 30 minutes (including interval), and I left the theatre feeling genuinely happy — the kind of feel-good theatre buzz you hope for. I loved it so much that I’m already hoping I can see it again before it leaves Manchester. Mean Girls UK Tour Final Thoughts Mean Girls is funny, nostalgic, energetic and completely fetch — a brilliant night out whether you grew up with the film or are discovering the story for the first time. It’s one of those shows that feels perfect for a girls’ night, a theatre treat, or just a fun evening in the city. And honestly… for a £15 ticket, it was an absolute bargain. ⭐ A fabulously pink, feel-good night that proves the Plastics still rule Mean Girls The Musical will be at the Manchester Opera House until Saturday 7th March 2026. Tickets are available to book via the official ATG Tickets website . For more information about the show, you can visit the official Mean Girls The Musical website . If you’d like to read a more detailed review of the production, including staging and performance insights, you can find my full theatre review over on All About Theatre .

A fun St Patrick’s Day craft you can make at home If you're celebrating St Patrick’s Day or planning a themed party, this DIY Leprechaun Hat craft is a fun activity to try with the kids. Made using simple materials like coloured card, scissors and glue, this craft creates a wearable leprechaun hat that’s perfect for dress-up, parties, school celebrations or festive photos. The best part is that you can measure the hat to fit your child’s head, so it’s comfortable to wear while they hunt for pots of gold or pretend to be mischievous leprechauns. Let’s get started! What You Will Need Measuring tape 4 × A4 green card 2 × 12 × 12 pieces of green card (or two A4 sheets glued together) 1 × A3 black card (or two A4 sheets glued together) 1 × A4 yellow card Double-sided tape or glue Scissors Pencil Compass (optional) Step-by-Step Instructions For Your 1. Measure Your Child’s Head Use a measuring tape to measure around your child’s head. Add 1 cm to this measurement so the hat fits comfortably. Example:If your child’s head measures 53 cm, add 1 cm so the final measurement is 54 cm. 2. Create the Hat Cylinder Cut a piece of green card that is: 13 cm high ( 5 inch ) × your child’s head measurement + 3 cm ( 1 inch ) Example: Leo's head measured 53 cm (21 inch), I need to add 3 cm to this so my card would need to be: 13 cm (5 inch ) × 56 cm (21 inch ) If your card isn’t long enough, simply glue two pieces of card together. 3. Make the Tabs Draw a line 1 inch from the top of the card. Draw another line 1 inch from the bottom of the card. Fold or score along both lines to create tabs. On one of the tabs, cut triangle-shaped teeth along the edge. 4. Form the Hat Shape Place glue or double-sided tape on one short edge of the card. Attach the other short edge to create a cylinder shape. The triangle teeth should be at the top of the cylinder. Fold the triangle teeth inwards. 5. Create the Top of the Hat Place the cylinder on top of another piece of green card and draw around it. (If you want to be more precise, measure the diameter of the cylinder, divide it in half to find the radius, and use a compass to draw the circle.) Cut out the circle. Place the circle onto another piece of green card, draw around it and cut out a second identical circle. 6. Fit the Inside Circle Check if one of the circles fits inside the cylinder. If it’s slightly too large, trim it until it fits snugly. This circle will form the inside top of the hat. Add glue or double-sided tape around the edge and middle of this circle. Place it inside the hat and push it up until it touches the folded triangle teeth. 7. Attach the Top Add glue or double-sided tape to the second circle. Turn the cylinder upside down and press it onto the glued circle. The two circles will stick together, sealing the top of the hat. 8. Create the Hat Brim On the t ab at the botton of the cylinder, cut straight slits along the edge to create small tabs and fold them outwards Take one of your 12 × 12 green card sheets. Place the hat in the centre and draw around it. Measure the diameter of this circle and draw another circle 10cm (4 inches) larger around it. Cut around the outer circle. Fold the circle in half and cut out the inner circle to create a halo shape. 9. Double the Brim Place this halo shape onto another piece of green card and draw around it. Cut it out so you now have two halo shapes . 10. Attach the Brim Add glue or tape to one halo and slide it down over the hat. Stick it to the bottom tabs. Turn the hat upside down and place the second halo on top of the first. Press them together so the tabs are sandwiched between the two layers. You should now have the full hat shape. 11. Add the Hat Band Take your A3 black card and cut a strip 5 cm (2 inches) wide. Wrap the strip around the hat and glue it into place. 12. Make the Buckle Cut a rectangle from the yellow card measuring: 5 cm (2 inches) × 8cm (3 inches) Draw a 2cm (1 inch) × 5cm (2 inch) rectangle inside it and cut it out so it forms a buckle shape. Glue the buckle onto the black strip at the front of the hat. Optional Decoration For an extra festive touch, cut a shamrock from a different shade of green card and glue it onto the hat. Your DIY Leprechaun Hat is Finished! 🍀 Your Leprechaun hat is now ready to wear. This craft is perfect for: St Patrick’s Day parties School dress-up days Irish celebrations Craft afternoons with the kids You could even make a whole set of hats for a St Patrick’s Day party so everyone can join in the fun. Happy crafting

A simple St Patrick’s Day decoration you can make at home If you're decorating your home for St Patrick’s Day, this DIY Shamrock Paper Chain is a fun and easy craft to make with the kids. Using just coloured card and a few basic craft supplies, you can create a festive shamrock garland that looks great hung across a wall, fireplace, doorway or party table. This craft is also perfect for using up different shades of green card, which makes the finished paper chain look even more colourful and festive. Let’s get crafting! What You Will Need Paper trimmer, guillotine or scissors A4 green card (it looks best if you use several different shades of green) Stapler, double-sided tape or glue Step-by-Step Instructions 1. Cut the Card Strips Take a piece of A4 green card and cut it into 1-inch strips across the length of the card. You will use these strips to create the shamrock leaves. 2. Create the First Leaf Take one strip of card and fold it in half to form a V shape. Next, fold the two ends of the strip inward so that they meet at the top of the V. This should create a heart shape, which will form one of the shamrock leaves. Secure the ends together. I usually staple them when making these myself. If younger children are helping, double-sided tape or glue may be safer. 3. Make Three Leaves To make one shamrock you will need three heart shapes. Repeat the same process two more times using strips in the same colour. 4. Join Two Leaves Take two of the hearts and staple or glue them together at the sides so they sit next to each other. 5. Create the Stem Take another strip of card in the same colour and cut it in half. This piece will form the stem of the shamrock. Place the stem along the side of one of the leaves. Now place the third heart next to it and staple everything together so the three hearts form a shamrock shape. Gently bend the stem backwards slightly to give it a more natural look. Your first shamrock is now finished! 6. Make More Shamrocks Repeat the process to create as many shamrocks as you need for your paper chain. Using different shades of green will make the finished decoration look even more colourful. 7. Link the Shamrocks Together Take a piece of A4 card in a different shade of green. Cut a 1-inch strip across the width of the card, then cut it in half. Use this strip to link two shamrocks together by threading it through two of the leaves and securing the ends together. (You can staple, glue or tape the strip.) Repeat this process until all your shamrocks are connected, forming a shamrock paper chain garland. Your Shamrock Paper Chain is Finished! 🍀 Your DIY shamrock paper chain is now ready to decorate your home. It’s perfect for: St Patrick’s Day parties Classroom decorations Decorating a fireplace or doorway A fun craft afternoon with the kids You can make the chain as long or as short as you like, depending on how many shamrocks you create. Happy crafting!

If you’re looking for a fun and simple St Patrick’s Day treat to make at home, these Pretzel Shamrocks are perfect. They’re quick to make, only need a few ingredients, and are a lovely activity to do with children. The salty pretzels combined with sweet white chocolate make a delicious little snack, and the shamrock shape makes them perfect for St Patrick’s Day parties, school events, or themed family movie nights. Best of all, they look impressive but are incredibly easy to make! 🍀 Ingredients Mini pretzels Pretzel sticks 250g bar of white chocolate Green chocolate food colouring 🧁 Equipment Baking paper (or greaseproof paper) Baking tray Microwave Microwave-safe bowl Spoon Toothpick or lolly stick (for adding colouring) 🍀 How To Make Pretzel Shamrocks 1. Prepare your tray Line a baking tray with baking or greaseproof paper. This will stop the chocolate sticking while the shamrocks set. 2. Melt the chocolate Break the white chocolate into small pieces and place it in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the chocolate in 20 second bursts, stirring between each burst until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. 3. Colour the chocolate Dip a toothpick or lolly stick into the green chocolate food colouring and stir it into the melted chocolate. If your colouring comes in a dropper, add a couple of drops at a time, stirring between each addition until you reach your desired shade of green. 4. Dip the pretzels Take a mini pretzel and dip it into the melted chocolate, making sure it is fully covered. Gently shake off any excess chocolate and place the pretzel onto the lined baking tray. Repeat this step two more times, placing the pretzels next to each other so they form the three leaves of a shamrock. 5. Add the stem Take a pretzel stick and break it in half. Dip one half into the chocolate, shake off the excess, and place it underneath the three pretzels so it looks like the stem of the shamrock. (The other half can be used for your next shamrock.) 6. Join everything together Using a spoon, drizzle a little extra chocolate over the points where the pretzels and the stem meet. This will help everything stick together once the chocolate sets. 7. Repeat Continue making shamrocks until you run out of chocolate.From one batch I managed to make around 16 shamrocks. 8. Let them set Place the tray in the fridge for about 15 minutes until the chocolate has completely set. Once set, you can trim away any excess chocolate with a knife. 🍀 Ready To Serve Your pretzel shamrocks are now ready to enjoy! They make a brilliant addition to: St Patrick’s Day parties School celebrations Lunchbox treats A fun themed snack for family movie night 🥨 Storage Store the shamrocks in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. 🍀 Final Thoughts These pretzel shamrocks are one of those treats that are simple, fun and surprisingly effective. They’re quick to put together, children can easily help with the dipping and arranging, and they make a lovely festive snack. If you’re planning a St Patrick’s Day celebration at home, they’re a great little treat to add to the table.