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24th – 30th November Some weeks feel like a juggling act between everyday life, creative projects, and a little bit of magic — and this was definitely one of those weeks. From birthday preparations and crafting to cinema trips and powerful theatre, our week was busy but full of moments that made it special. 🎁 BIRTHDAY PREP MODE ACTIVATED We started the week with full focus on Alice’s upcoming birthday. I filmed a “What I Got Alice for Her Birthday” video and then wrapped all of her presents, ready for the big day the following week. There’s something so satisfying about having everything prepared early — especially when there’s still lots of party prep to come! 🎬 WICKED ON THE BIG SCREEN On Tuesday, while the kids were at school, Lawrence and I treated ourselves to a cinema date and headed to Vue at Printworks to watch Wicked: For Good  on the IMAX screen. Wicked has always been one of my all-time favourite musicals, so seeing it transformed into a film felt incredibly special. The movie itself was fantastic — emotional, magical, and visually stunning — and it really did justice to the stage show. I also couldn’t resist picking up a Wicked-themed popcorn tin, which felt like a fun little keepsake from the day. After the film, we grabbed lunch at KFC before heading into Manchester city centre for a bit of shopping. I popped into Lush and treated myself to a few bath bombs from their Wicked collection, then visited Lindt to pick up some chocolates for Lawrence’s birthday — including the new tiramisu and shortbread flavours. A quick stop at Miniso followed, where I found a few Stitch bits ready for Alice’s Stitch-themed birthday party. 🎭 THEATRE NIGHT: THE RED SHOES  AT THE LOWRY Later that evening, I headed to The Lowry to review Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes (gifted tickets). The production was visually stunning and emotionally powerful, with Bourne’s signature storytelling shining through movement and design. It’s one of those shows that completely pulls you into its world — dramatic, beautiful, and haunting in equal measure — and it stayed with me long after the curtain came down. 👉 Read my full review here: https://www.allabouttheatreuk.com/post/review-matthew-bourne-s-the-red-shoes ✂️ CRAFTING, CREATING & PARTY PREP Wednesday was a crafty one. I made sticker sheets for Alice’s party bags and decorated the bags ready for the party. I also made a start on Alice’s angel piñata for her Stitch-themed birthday celebrations — one of those projects that always looks messy halfway through but comes together in the end! I didn’t film much on Thursday or Friday, but those days were spent finishing the piñata, catching up on housework, editing videos, writing reviews, and scheduling social media posts — the behind-the-scenes side of content creation that keeps everything ticking along. 🎄 A CHRISTMAS CLASSIC IN BOLTON On Saturday, I travelled to Bolton to review A Christmas Carol at the Octagon Theatre (gifted tickets). This production delivered all the warmth, atmosphere, and festive spirit you’d hope for from such a beloved story. With strong performances and a timeless message, it felt like the perfect way to step into the Christmas season — thoughtful, moving, and full of heart. 👉 Read my full review here: https://www.allabouttheatreuk.com/post/review-a-christmas-carol-octagon-bolton-29-11-2025 📝 A QUIET SUNDAY TO WRAP UP THE WEEK Sunday was spent doing what I do best after a busy theatre week — writing up my A Christmas Carol  review, creating social media posts and reels, and getting everything ready to share. A quieter end to a very full week. 🎥 WATCH OUR WEEKLY VLOG If you’d like to see everything we got up to — from cinema trips and crafting to theatre nights and birthday prep — you can watch Weekly Vlog #433  below. Thank you for reading 💜If you enjoy weekly family updates, theatre trips, crafty moments, and everyday magic, don’t forget to check back next week for another update. ✨ Christmas is well and truly on its way! ✨

The first week of December in our house is always all about birthdays before Christmas — two celebrations back-to-back before we even start properly thinking about the festive season. And this one was especially busy — packed with birthday celebrations, festive shows, and lots of family time. It was one of those weeks where every day felt full, but in the nicest possible way. A Calm Start Before the Chaos 🛁 Monday began with a rare quiet moment — a relaxing bath to ease into what I knew was going to be a very busy week. It didn’t stay calm for long though, because I quickly switched into full birthday prep mode for Alice’s party. I spent most of the day baking biscuits, decorating cupcakes, and decorating Alice’s birthday cake. I love doing things like this for the kids — it’s a lot of effort, but it always feels worth it when you see how excited they get. That evening, I headed into Manchester to HOME to see the UK premiere of Freaky Friday The Musical  (gifted tickets). I had such a brilliant time — it was fun, energetic, and exactly the kind of feel-good musical you just can’t help smiling through. 👉 You can read my full review HERE Once I was back, it was straight back into party prep — finishing the cake, making chocolate lollies for the party bags, and chocolate sticks for the party too. It was a late one, but everything was finally ready. Alice’s Birthday & Stitch and Angel Party 🎂💕💙 Tuesday was Alice’s birthday, and we all woke up feeling excited (and slightly tired!). While Alice was at school, Lawrence and I decorated the house for her Stitch and Angel themed party — balloons, banners, and lots of pink and blue everywhere. When she got home from school, she got changed into her birthday outfit — a T-shirt I had made that said “Alice is 8”  with Stitch and Angel on it, along with some leggings. She then opened her presents, and while Alice and Leo played with her new toys, I started preparing the food for the party. My children and I are fussy eaters (autism), so I always keep party food quite simple. We had lemon and herb chicken, chorizo and peppers skewers, BBQ chicken, chorizo and peppers skewers, potato wedges, chicken goujons, pizza, sausage rolls, and garlic bread with cheese, along with the usual snacks and crisps — Alice’s favourite food is crisps, especially Skips. We also had all the sweet treats I’d made, including cupcakes, biscuits, and chocolate sticks. Once the guests arrived, we ate the food and then played some party games. We played pass the parcel, musical chairs, and musical statues, and everyone had a go at trying to get sweets out of the Angel piñata I made. At the end of the party, everyone went home with a party bag full of goodies and a piece of cake. It was so lovely seeing her surrounded by everyone she loves, and she had the best time. Watching her enjoy herself so much made all the baking, decorating, and late nights completely worth it. Midweek Reality & Tattoo Drama 😅 Wednesday was mostly about cleaning up from the party, while Lawrence headed off to get his tattoos done — which were for his 40th birthday and Christmas present. When he got home, he told me they’d only managed to get one tattoo done and that he had to go back the next day for the second one. He’d originally told me it was going to cost £450, and he’d already spent about £100 on aftercare products and new clothes to accommodate the tattoos while they healed… so when he then told me it was going to cost another £450, I was not impressed  — especially as I’d also bought him concert tickets to see Amy Macdonald for his birthday. Let’s just say… he’s not getting any birthday or Christmas presents next year 😂 I spent the rest of Wednesday writing my review for Freaky Friday The Musical  and creating a reel and social media posts for it, so I could get everything shared while it was still fresh. A Big Theatre Milestone 🎭 On Thursday, Lawrence headed off again to get his second tattoo done. They’re on his calves and quite big, so it took most of the day and he didn’t get home until around 4pm. While everyone else was out, I baked a small batch of cupcakes and biscuits for Lawrence’s birthday party at the weekend. When the kids got home from school, we had our dinner, then Leo went to his grandparents, while Lawrence and I took Alice to the press night of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe  at The Lowry (gifted tickets). The show started at 7pm, so we arrived around 6.30pm and headed to the press desk to collect our tickets and programme. They also said we could choose a gift from a selection of the show’s merch — I think the options were a beanie hat, keyring, magnet, or a lion plush, and of course Alice picked the lion plush. We then took some photos at the photo opportunities, including a replica of the wardrobe itself and a giant Aslan head made from flowers, before heading into the auditorium to take our seats. We were in the stalls, Row J, seats 16–18, and the view from those seats was fantastic. At the interval, Alice was super excited to get some ice cream — she chose chocolate, and she was really excited for the second act because she wanted to see Aslan the lion. It was such a special night, and even more special because it was Alice’s first time seeing a full-length play. She was completely captivated from start to finish — the set, the costumes, the music, everything just worked its magic. Seeing her so engaged and excited was honestly one of my highlights of the whole week. It felt like such a milestone in her little theatre journey. Once we got Alice to bed, I stayed up late writing my review for The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe  and creating social media content for it, because I wanted to get everything shared while it was still fresh. 👉 You can read my full review HERE Creative Friday & Festive Theatre 🎅 On Friday, I designed some musical theatre themed cupcake and biscuit toppers for Lawrence’s party and printed them onto icing sheets using my edible printer. I then cut them out and added them to the cupcakes and biscuits I’d made the day before, which was really fun to do. That evening, I took the children to Waterside Arts in Sale for the press performance of Father Christmas , based on the book by Raymond Briggs (gifted tickets). My brother came with us, as Lawrence was heading to see Amy Macdonald at the O2 Apollo Manchester, which was his birthday present from me. The show started at 6pm, so we arrived around 5.30pm. We had some photos at the photo opportunity, then looked at the merch — I ended up buying two Snowdog plushes, one for each of the kids, which were £10 each. On the way into the auditorium, the children were given a little paper bag with a carton of milk and a Santa cookie inside, which was such a lovely surprise and they absolutely loved the cookies. We were sat in Row J, seats 9–12, and had a great view. It was a really sweet, festive show and such a nice way to kick off the weekend. Once I got the kids to bed, I stayed up late writing my review for Father Christmas  and creating the social media content for it too, so everything was ready to share. 👉 You can read my full review HERE Lawrence’s 40th Birthday Party 🎉 Saturday was Lawrence’s 40th birthday, and we spent the morning decorating the house for his party. We went with a gold and black colour scheme, blowing up balloons and putting up streamers. I then made the party food while Lawrence relaxed and played with the children. When the guests arrived, we enjoyed the food and had a really nice time catching up with friends we hadn’t seen for a while. It was relaxed, fun, and a lovely way to celebrate such a big birthday. King Pins & A Cosy Ending 🎤🎳 On Sunday, the children went to their grandparents, while Lawrence and I headed to King Pins in Manchester to continue the celebrations with friends. When we arrived, it was lunchtime, so we ordered some food — I had salt and pepper chips, Lawrence went for loaded fries, and we got some garlic bread to share. We had rented the karaoke party room for half an hour, so we were able to eat in there. The karaoke was so much fun, but 30 minutes definitely wasn’t enough! After that, we did duckpin bowling, tech darts, and shuffleboard, and it was such a fun afternoon. It really did feel like the perfect way to round off such a full-on but happy week. When we got home later on, my parents dropped the kids back home, we got them settled into bed, and then collapsed on the sofa and watched some TV, feeling completely exhausted after such a busy week. A Week to Remember ✨ This week was full of birthdays, theatre, family time, and little creative moments, and even though it was busy and tiring, it was one of those weeks I know I’ll always look back on fondly. The kind of week that reminds me just how much I love these ordinary-but-not-so-ordinary family days. 💜 Watch Our Weekly Vlog 🎥 If you’d like to see everything we got up to this week in real time, you can watch our Weekly Vlog #434  below

December is always one of my favourite months of the year, and this week really captured everything I love about it — festive theatre trips, magical family moments, and lots of time spent making memories with Alice and Leo. From pantomime and musicals to cosy children’s theatre and special family days, it was a week packed full of joy. A Cosy Start & A Very Special School Play The week started off fairly quietly on Monday with a day at home catching up on housework and trying to get through some editing — one of those necessary but not very exciting days! Tuesday, however, was a really special one as it was Leo’s Christmas play at school. Lawrence came along with me, and it was so lovely to be able to watch him together. Leo doesn’t usually like being in big crowds and often doesn’t attend school assemblies, so his teachers weren’t sure if he’d want to take part. But when they told him that I was coming to watch, he was happy to do it. He had a small role as a cameraman and sat right at the front on a bench with the teachers. Then, at the end of the show, he had the important job of handing out sweets to the audience. He came straight over to me, handed me a pack of Haribo and said, “These are your favourite, Mama.”  Honestly, my heart 🥹 such a lovely little moment I’ll remember forever. 🏹 Panto Season Begins – Robin Hood at Manchester Opera House The week then properly kicked into festive mode with a trip to Manchester Opera House for the matinee performance of this year’s pantomime, Robin Hood: The Magical Panto Adventure . There’s nothing quite like a festive panto to get you in the Christmas spirit, and this one absolutely delivered. With colourful sets, energetic performances, plenty of laughs, and all the classic panto ingredients, it was a brilliant way to start the theatre part of the week. Panto season always feels like the official start of Christmas for me, and this was such a fun, feel-good afternoon. 👉 You can read my full review HERE 🎤 A Spontaneous Evening with Tina Turner While I was already in town for the panto, I spotted an opportunity I couldn’t pass up — an evening performance of TINA: The Tina Turner Musical  at the Palace Theatre Manchester, using a theatre voucher I had. Before the show, I grabbed some lunch and had a little wander around the shops, before heading back down to St Peter’s Square and walking over to the theatre. I also made sure I got there nice and early, as I knew they had a little exhibition of some of the costumes from the show on display outside the stalls, and I really wanted to have a proper look before it got busy. It turned into one of those spontaneous theatre days that end up being extra special. The show was absolutely fantastic — powerful vocals, electric energy, and an audience that was fully up on their feet by the end. A brilliant way to turn a panto day into a full-on two-show day 👉 You can read my full review HERE 🐙 A Wickedly Fun Night – Unfortunate  at The Lowry On Thursday evening, Lawrence and I headed to The Lowry  to see Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch  (gifted tickets). This was such a fun, clever retelling, flipping The Little Mermaid  story on its head and giving Ursula her moment in the spotlight. The show was bold, camp, hilarious, and packed with brilliant performances. It felt like a real treat to enjoy a night out together and see something a bit different during such a busy festive period. 👉 You can read my full review HERE ❄️ Family Theatre Magic – The Snowy Day  at Z-arts Saturday was all about the kids as we headed to Z-arts  to see The Snowy Day  (gifted tickets). We arrived a little early so Alice and Leo could spend some time playing beforehand, and they had the best time exploring the big bus and the little play area that Z-arts has — it’s such a brilliant space to let them burn off some energy before the show. Z-arts is always such a wonderful venue for children’s theatre, and this visit reminded me why we love it so much. The show itself was only about 30 minutes long, which was the perfect length for them, and it was followed by a lovely stay and play session where the children got to come onto the space and play with soft fabric snowballs. Alice and Leo had so  much fun, and it was such a nice way to extend the experience and let them interact with the world of the show. Alice and Leo absolutely loved it — from the gentle storytelling to the interactive elements and the cosy winter atmosphere. They were both completely engaged from start to finish, and it felt like such a calm, comforting experience for them. Z-arts always manages to create productions that feel welcoming, inclusive, and magical for young audiences, and this was a really special family morning. 👉 Read my full review HERE After the show, we headed into town for some lunch and had a relaxed wander around the shops, soaking up all the festive atmosphere. 🐊 A Roald Dahl Treat – The Enormous Crocodile  at The Lowry We rounded off the week on Sunday with another family theatre trip, this time back to The Lowry to see Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile . When we arrived, we headed to the press desk to collect our tickets, and as Lawrence had to work that day, my mum came along with us, which was really lovely. We attended the press performance, and before the show the children were treated to a Christmas tree cookie and some juice, while the adults enjoyed a mince pie and a hot drink — such a lovely festive touch. There was also an Enormous Crocodile  activity book on all the tables with a pack of pencil crayons, which Alice and Leo were very excited about. They also had an activity table where the children could sit and make their own little crocodile out of a green lolly stick and pipe cleaners, which they absolutely loved. Alice and Leo had the best time during the show itself — it was fast-paced, funny, and full of energy. Seeing their reactions, hearing their laughter, and watching them completely engage with the story is always one of my favourite things about family theatre days. It was such a fun way to end a very theatre-filled week. 👉 Read my full review HERE ❤️ A Week Full of Magic This week was the perfect blend of festive theatre, quality family time, and those little moments that remind me just how lucky we are to be able to share these experiences together. From Leo’s school play to pantos, musicals, and cosy children’s theatre, it was one of those weeks that really felt full of heart. December may be busy, but it’s also full of so much joy — and this week truly captured that. 🎥 Watch Our Weekly Vlog If you’d like to see all of this in video form — from theatre trips to family moments — you can watch Weekly Vlog #435  below:

The countdown to Christmas was well and truly on this week, and while I didn’t film loads for the vlog, it was one of those quietly busy, behind-the-scenes weeks filled with festive preparation, shopping trips, and a very special theatre treat. 🎄 Festive Shopping in Manchester On Monday, Lawrence and I headed into Manchester city centre to tick a few more things off our Christmas to-do list. We spent the day wandering around B&M, The Works, Aldi, Lush and Lindt, picking up gifts, festive treats, and all those little extras that somehow always end up in the basket. It was actually really nice having a relaxed shopping day together, soaking up the Christmas atmosphere and slowly getting organised. Once we’d finished shopping, we stopped for lunch at KFC before heading home to unload our bags. 🎁 Christmas Eve Box Prep & a Liverpool Theatre Night On Tuesday, we carried on with Christmas prep and popped into our local Home Bargains to pick up bits for the children’s Christmas Eve boxes and stockings. I absolutely love putting these together every year – it’s one of my favourite traditions and really helps make Christmas Eve feel extra special for Alice and Leo. Later that day, I swapped festive prep for a festive theatre trip and caught the train to Liverpool. Before the show, I grabbed some dinner at the pub inside the station, and as I still had about an hour to spare before curtain up, I decided to take a little walk over to the Liverpool Playhouse. I’d been told they had a poster outside featuring a quote from my Young Frankenstein  review, and I could spot it straight away. It was such a lovely surprise to see my words displayed outside the theatre — definitely one of those little moments that made me smile. After that, I headed off for the 7pm performance of Matilda the Musical . This was actually my third time seeing the show — I’ve previously seen it on Broadway and in the West End — but this was my first time seeing a touring production. I was seated second row in the stalls, which was an incredible view, and the show itself was absolutely fantastic. It was such a joyful, magical evening and the perfect little bit of Christmas escapism.. 👉 You can read my full review of Matilda HERE 🏠 A Quiet End to the Week On Wednesday, the day after seeing Matilda , I sat down to write up my review for the blog and did a bit more video editing too, alongside the usual house jobs and looking after the kids. Then on Thursday, while Alice and Leo were at school, I got absolutely everything out that I’d bought for their stockings and Christmas Eve boxes and sorted it all into piles for each of them. I filmed two YouTube videos — What’s in My Children’s Stocking  and What’s in My Children’s Christmas Eve Box  — and just managed to finish filming before it was time to head out for the school pick-up. Friday was all about editing those videos and getting them ready to go live, and the weekend was a mix of housework, tidying, and spending time playing with the children — lots of simple, cosy family moments as we eased into the final countdown to Christmas. It was actually quite nice having a slower end to the week – a chance to breathe, reset, and enjoy the build-up to Christmas without rushing around too much. 🎥 Watch Our Weekly Vlog If you’d like to see what we got up to this week, including our shopping trips and my Liverpool theatre night, you can watch Weekly Vlog #436   below

Some weeks feel calm and cosy, others feel non-stop busy — and this one was definitely a mix of both! From new dresses and a glittery bath, to an incredible lunch at Bem Brasil and two brilliant theatre trips in one day, this week was full of little moments that made it really special. Here’s everything we got up to during our week of 12th – 18th January . New Dresses & A Little Self-Care 💕 On Monday, I spent the morning doing a bit of video editing, and just as I was about to head out to pick Leo up from school, a parcel arrived — perfect timing! When we got back home, Leo and I opened it together and inside were some new dresses I’d ordered from Yours. I thought I’d treat myself in the sale and ended up getting six dresses for £80, which felt like such a bargain. They’re all so pretty and I absolutely love them. Five fit perfectly, but one came up really small, which was a shame because I thought that one might have been my favourite — so that one will be going back. After picking Alice up from school and getting the kids settled, I treated myself to a long, relaxing bath using my last Lush bath bomb from Christmas — Snow Fairy. It smelled so sweet and magical, and it turned the bath a gorgeous pink glittery colour, which made it feel extra special. Exactly what I needed — proper cosy self-care vibes. After my bath, I tried on all my new dresses and had a little mini fashion show in the bedroom. A Big Theatre Day & The Best Lunch Ever🎭 Wednesday was a really busy but brilliant day. Lawrence and I headed into Manchester for some lunch before going to the theatre. We went to Bem Brasil, which is one of our favourite places. Their lunch menu is £22.75, and it’s a Brazilian churrascaria where you get an endless supply of meats brought straight to your table, plus unlimited sides like salads, stews and street food. My absolute favourite side is their sweet potato mash, which I always get. I also had: Fries Cheese bread Beef stew Lawrence went for: Boiled rice Garlic mushrooms Meatballs Pesto pasta salad Then came the meat — and so much of it! We had: Rump steak Chilli rump steak Lemon chicken Chilli chicken Pork sausage Smoked gammon Lamb They even offered us chicken hearts, which is a Brazilian delicacy and not usually available on the lunch menu! I didn’t try them, but Lawrence had two and said they were actually really nice. We also grabbed some garlic bread, and by the end we were both completely stuffed. Such good value and such a fun experience. SIX The Musical – Again! 👑 After lunch, we had a little look around Primark, where they had a gorgeous new Winnie the Pooh collection — especially the bags, which were so  cute. They also had loads of really nice Easter and spring decorations, and I was very tempted by a cute Easter sign. Then it was time to head to the Palace Theatre Manchester to see SIX The Musical. We arrived around 3:40pm for the 4:30pm show, took some photos outside, had a look at the merch stand, and I bought a programme for £6. We were sat in the Circle, Row Q, seats 33 & 34, right at the back — and considering we only paid £15 per ticket, the view was actually really good. The only downside was the legroom, which wasn’t great, and with my bad knee it did start to hurt a bit since the show is 80 minutes with no interval. But honestly, the show itself was so much fun. This was our third time seeing it and we always have the best time. It’s just such an energetic, feel-good show. 👉 You can read my full review here: https://www.allabouttheatreuk.com/post/review-six-the-musical-palace-theatre-mancheser-14-01-2026 To Kill A Mockingbird at The Lowry 🎭 After SIX, I said goodbye to Lawrence (who headed home to collect the kids), and I jumped on the tram to The Lowry as I was reviewing To Kill A Mockingbird that evening. I arrived about an hour early and quickly grabbed some nuggets and fries from Burger King in the outlet mall just before it closed — perfect timing! At 7pm, I met my brother outside the theatre and we went in together to collect our tickets and programme from the press desk. We were sat in the Stalls, Row P, seats 4 & 5, slightly to the side but with a really good view. In the interval, I used my drinks voucher and we had a little catch-up, which was lovely as I don’t get to see my brother as often as I’d like. The play itself was powerful, moving and thought-provoking — one of those productions that really stays with you. 👉 You can read my full review here: https://www.allabouttheatreuk.com/post/review-to-kill-a-mockingbird-the-lowry-14-01-2026 A Creative Sunday 🎬✨ The rest of the week was mostly spent doing housework, editing videos, writing reviews and creating social media content. On Sunday, I spent the entire day working on something I’d been meaning to do for ages — creating a brand new intro and outro for my YouTube videos. It took so long , but I’m really happy with how they turned out and it feels so good to finally have something new and fresh. Final Thoughts 💛 This week felt like a really lovely balance of me-time, creativity, theatre and cosy family life. From new dresses and Snow Fairy baths, to amazing food and two fantastic shows in one day — it was busy, but in the best possible way. Sometimes it’s the little everyday moments that really make a week feel special. 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 our Weekly Vlog #437  below — come and join us for all the behind-the-scenes moments, theatre trips, shopping finds and cosy family life.

“We’re all mad here… mad about this magical immersive experience!” After falling in love with Z-arts' previous immersive hit The 100 Story Hotel , my children—Alice (7) and Leo (5)—were thrilled to tumble down the rabbit hole once again into Z-arts’ brand-new play experience: Adventures in Wonderland . Inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland  and created in partnership with Macmillan Children’s Books, this enchanting new world celebrates 160 years of Lewis Carroll’s much-loved tale. With high expectations and two very eager little explorers, we headed to Hulme, Manchester, to see what surprises Wonderland had in store. First Impressions and Getting Ready to Tumble Even arriving early was a joy. The ever-welcoming Z-arts team had thought of everything to keep little hands and minds busy. From the cute play corner and Alice-themed activity sheets to the shelves of books in the children’s library, Alice and Leo were entertained before the adventure even began. The on-site café was the perfect spot to settle in, and we even browsed the charming gift shop, where you can grab a Wonderland activity book for just £2.50 – great for extending the fun at home. When it was time to begin, we were greeted by a friendly member of the Z-arts team who led us to the first room: a tranquil Riverbank space, beautifully decorated and packed with anticipation. After a short introduction, the White Rabbit hopped in to get things started—and from there, the magic really began! The Experience: Welcome to Wonderland! Our journey began with a short interactive story session with the White Rabbit, who delighted the children with riddles before guiding us down the rabbit hole—literally! Leo and Alice couldn’t wait to scramble through the tunnel, which even had a climbing wall. Naturally, Leo had to climb his way into Wonderland. Once we were through the tunnel, we were suddenly in a vibrant, whimsical world full of surprises around every corner. What followed was an hour of joyful free play across one of the most beautifully designed immersive spaces I’ve ever seen. Wonderland is broken into interactive zones, each bursting with creativity and attention to detail. What’s Inside Wonderland? The Hall of Mirrors  – A dazzling corridor of distorted reflections that had the kids giggling and striking silly poses as they made their way through. The Pool of Tears  – A shimmering ball pond with a slide and umbrellas overhead. Alice couldn’t get enough of this one! The Card Maze  – A twisty, turny trail surrounded by oversized playing cards. The Jam Tart Kitchen  – Where kids can ‘bake’ and serve their own pretend treats. The Rose Garden  – Let the children “paint” roses red for the Queen of Hearts. The Royal Garden  – Dress like a king or queen, sit on a golden throne, and play croquet with flamingo mallets—Leo was in his element! The Giant Mushroom Forest  – This glowing wonderland features fairy lights, giant mushrooms, and steel-drum-style mushroom instruments. The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party  – A long, colourful table set up with little tea sets and mad Hatter hats. There were mouse costumes and hare ears for the children to dress up in—it was chaos in the best possible way! The March Hare’s House  – A cosy little nook the kids could go inside and explore. The Chess Room  – A life-sized board with oversized chess pieces made this a fun stop for little minds. The Caucus Race  – Inspired by the book’s famous nonsense race, this miniature race track invites children to dress up in bird costumes and run around in circles, just like the Dodo recommends when trying to dry everyone off after swimming in Alice's tears. Alice Exhibition Area  – Featuring beautiful prints of the original book illustrations by John Tenniel, with colour by Harry G. Theaker and Diz Wallis, contributed by Macmillan Children’s Books. The Cheshire Cat Hunt Woven into the experience is a brilliant treasure hunt. Children can collect an activity sheet and clipboard to search for nine cheeky Cheshire Cats hidden throughout the space. Leo loved the sense of mission this gave him, while Alice preferred to freestyle her way through Wonderland—both approaches were equally magical. The attention to detail in every room is absolutely stunning. From the lighting and props to the interactive elements and sound effects, every inch of Wonderland feels thoughtfully designed and totally immersive. The White Rabbit Wrap-Up Towards the end of the hour-long experience, the White Rabbit gathered everyone back at the Riverbank to reflect on their adventures. Children were invited to share their favourite parts, which added a sweet, community feel to the whole session. For our family, the highlights were clear: Alice adored the Pool of Tears, and Leo couldn’t get enough of the climbing wall and his successful Cheshire Cat spotting! Accessibility and Thoughtfulness As a parent of two children on the autistic pathway, I really appreciated Z-arts' attention to accessibility and sensory consideration. The experience is flexible and child-led—there’s no pressure to follow every activity or room, and children are free to explore at their own pace. For those needing quieter sessions, relaxed performances are available with reduced noise, fewer people, and experienced Story Explorers trained in SEND. Conclusion Adventures in Wonderland  is a dream come true for families. With a perfect blend of play, imagination, and storytelling, Z-arts has once again created an enchanting space where children can step right into their favourite tales. It's imaginative, inclusive, and absolutely packed with things to do. The design is exceptional, the characters are engaging, and the atmosphere is pure magic. Alice and Leo didn’t want to leave—and honestly, neither did I! A truly unmissable family day out. You’ll be grinning like the Cheshire Cat long after you’ve left!  🐰🎩🌹 If you’re looking for a wonder-full day out this spring or summer – don’t be late for this very important date! ✨ Need-to-Know Info: 🎟 Tickets : £12 per person or £40 for a family of four 📅 Booking until 30th December 2025  – sessions available on selected weekdays, Saturdays, and during school holidays 📍 Z-arts, Hulme, Manchester 👶 Recommended for ages 1–8 Adventures in Wonderland  is running at Z-arts until 19th July 2025  – so there’s still plenty of time to tumble down the rabbit hole! To book your tickets, just click the button below and get ready for a truly wonder-full day out. Click Me Photo Credit -   Sarah Monaghan *Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review.

Step Into the Upside Down – A Fun Experience for Stranger Things Fans 👾⭐ On Wednesday 5th November, my husband Lawrence and I visited the newly opened Stranger Things Café inside The Manchester Primark on Market Street, and it was like stepping straight into Hawkins! From Scoops Ahoy to Benny’s Burgers, the café’s eerie red-and-black theming made it a must-see for any fan of the hit Netflix series. While the atmosphere was spot-on and full of photo opportunities, we did find the menu smaller than previous Primark pop-ups, with only themed food and no regular café items available. Still, it’s a fun little pit stop for a bite to eat and some Stranger Things magic before you continue shopping. 👀 Theming – Welcome to Hawkins! The Stranger Things Café makes an immediate impression from the moment you see its bold red-and-black “Welcome to Hawkins” archway. Inside, the space feels like a crossover between a retro diner and a fan exhibit, with large murals that dominate the walls. One wall features a striking image of the Demogorgon, while another showcases the main characters in a bold, comic-style illustration. The design choices make it clear that the theme is the star of the show. Seating includes light-wood tables with white metal chairs and stools, plus padded benches along the mural walls for a relaxed café feel. The décor is mostly neutral — light walls, pale wood flooring, and white furnishings — which allows the dramatic Stranger Things visuals to really stand out. The counter area is bright and clean, featuring a large digital menu board, near the counter, you’ll find small themed props and display items, adding subtle touches of Hawkins charm without overwhelming the space. The atmosphere feels friendly and approachable rather than spooky, making it suitable for families and casual fans alike. 🌭 Stranger Things Café Menu – Simple, Themed, and Tasty  🍟 The menu at the Stranger Things Café keeps things simple, serving up American-style comfort food inspired by Hawkins’ favourite hangouts. We opted for the Hot Dog Meal Deal (£9.95), which included a juicy hot dog, crispy Totside Down  tater tots, and a can of drink. For dessert, we shared a generous slice of Red Velvet Chocolate Fudge Cake (£4.50) – rich, moist, and absolutely delicious. It definitely felt like something Eleven herself might indulge in after a long day fighting monsters! The food was simple but tasty, ideal for a quick themed lunch or family stop-off while shopping. The full menu features: 🍔 Benny’s Diner Burger (£6.50) 🍕 Surfer Boy Margherita Twist (£5.50) 🌭 American Hot Dog (£5.95) 🥔 Totside Down Tater Tots / Cheesy Tots (from £3.95) And from Scoops Ahoy, you can grab milkshakes in classic flavours – Strawberry, Chocolate, and Vanilla – or the ultimate themed treat: “The Void”, a black vanilla shake topped with cream, Oreo crumb, and gummy sweets (£4.95). While the menu is more limited than some of Primark’s previous themed cafés, everything we tried was nicely presented, and served with a smile. The staff were friendly and welcoming, and service was quick.                                                                                              💀 Final Thoughts – A Fun Flashback for Fans 🎬✨ The Stranger Things Café at Manchester Primark is a fun, nostalgic stop for any fan of the show. The design is spot-on, the staff are friendly, and there are plenty of great selfie spots to capture the Hawkins magic. While we’d have loved a slightly bigger menu or a few non-themed options, it’s still a tasty and enjoyable treat for the price. The décor strikes the right balance — bold enough to impress fans but welcoming for families too. It’s a total gimmick – but a good one! If you’re shopping in Manchester and fancy a little trip to Hawkins, grab your camera, order some Totside Down, and enjoy a slice of the Upside Down — a simple but satisfying themed stop that’s well worth a visit. 💬 Practical Info — Where & When 📍 Stranger Things Café – Manchester Primark 🗓️ Opened: 13th October 2025 📍 Address: 106–122 Market St, Manchester, M1 1WA 🕘 Opening Hours: Mon–Thurs: 9am–5pm Fri–Sat: 9am–6pm Sun: 10:30am–4pm Also available in: Braehead, Edinburgh, Birmingham, and Cardiff

Half-term is always one of my favourite weeks — a whole stretch of time to slow down, make memories, go on little adventures and squeeze in lots of family fun. And this one was especially lovely. From theatre trips and trampoline bouncing, to dinosaurs, chocolate, baking and Halloween crafts, it felt like one of those weeks where every day brought something new. Here’s everything we got up to during our half-term week. Theatre Magic & Trampoline Fun 🎭🤸 We kicked off the week with something really special on Monday. Alice and I headed to The Lowry to see The Smeds and The Smoos  (gifted tickets), while Lawrence took Leo to Oxygen inside the Lowry Outlet Mall. The Smeds and The Smoos  was absolutely delightful — bright, imaginative, funny and full of heart. The perfect half-term show. Alice was completely captivated, and I just loved seeing her so engaged with the story and characters. 👉 You can read my full review HERE Meanwhile, Leo had the best time ever at Oxygen. Bouncing, running, climbing and burning off all his energy — it was exactly his kind of day. It felt like such a perfectly balanced start to half-term, with both kids doing something totally suited to them. Halloween Crafting & A Black Cat Piñata 🐈‍⬛🎃 On Tuesday, I went full Halloween craft mode and made a black cat piñata  for our party later in the week. I used recycled cardboard, tissue paper, card, string, masking tape and glue — and honestly, it turned out so cute. I love making things from scratch and giving them a bit of personality. There’s something really special about decorations that you’ve made yourself, especially when they’re for family celebrations. Chocolate Lollies & Sweet Treats 🍫 Wednesday was all about chocolate. The kids and I made Halloween chocolate lollies  using spooky moulds and loads of colourful sprinkles. We melted the chocolate, filled the moulds and went absolutely wild with decorations. It was messy, chaotic and very sugary — but so much fun. The lollies looked amazing and tasted even better, and the kids were so proud of them. One of those simple half-term activities that turns into a really lovely memory. Museum Adventures & Dino Discoveries 🦖🏛️ Thursday was a proper full family day out as Lawrence was off work, so we headed into Manchester. Manchester Museum We started at Manchester Museum to see their new free exhibition Triceratops: Eat, Roam, Repeat . But of course, before anything else, we had to visit the Vivarium, because Alice always  needs to see the frogs — her absolute favourite part of the museum. The dinosaur exhibition was brilliant and really interactive, with: A dino dig Build-your-own felt dinosaurs Hands-on displays for kids Both Alice and Leo had such a good time exploring everything. Before we left, we popped into the gift shop where Alice chose a frog fidget toy and Leo picked an axolotl — both £12 each. Lunch & The Power Hall We then headed to Manchester Arndale for lunch at KFC, before jumping on the free city centre bus to the Science and Industry Museum. Our main mission was the newly reopened Power Hall, which has been closed for six years for refurbishment — and wow, it was worth the wait. It looks incredible: bright, modern and full of huge historic engines. The kids’ favourite was the steam locomotive Pender, which has a cut-away side so you can see how it works inside. They were completely mesmerised — especially Leo, who could have stayed there all afternoon. We spent about an hour exploring before heading home, tired, happy and full of that warm family day out  feeling. Halloween Baking Fun 🧁👻 Friday was baking day with Leo. We made a batch of Halloween cupcakes, and the whole house smelled amazing. Then on Saturday, we decorated the cupcakes and made Halloween biscuits too. There were sprinkles everywhere — and I mean everywhere . It was chaotic, colourful and very on brand for us. The kids were so proud of their creations and couldn’t wait to show everyone. Halloween Party Day 🎉🎃 Sunday was our Halloween party , but there was so much going on that it’s getting its own dedicated vlog and blog post! Decorations, costumes, games, sweets, the piñata — it definitely deserves a post all of its own. Final Thoughts 💛 This week felt like the perfect half-term mix of creativity, family time, adventures and a little bit of magic. From theatre and trampolines, to dinosaurs, baking and Halloween crafts, it was one of those weeks that felt busy — but in the very best way. The kind of week that reminds me just how much I love these ordinary-but-not-so-ordinary family days. 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 in real time, you can watch our Weekly Vlog below — come and join us for all the behind-the-scenes half-term fun, theatre trips, crafts and family adventures.

Bank Holiday BBQ Sunshine We kicked off the week with a classic British tradition – a Bank Holiday BBQ at my parents’ house. The sun was shining, the garden was full of chatter, and it was so lovely to spend time together as a family. There’s just something so special about seeing everyone gathered round, kids running about while the smell of burgers fills the air – pure summer happiness! Lunch at Coppicewood Farm On Wednesday, the kids and I headed to Coppicewood Farm  with my parents for lunch. It’s one of our favourite spots because it’s so family-friendly – there’s a little play area the children adore, and the staff are always lovely. I went for a hearty carvery (because you can’t beat roast potatoes midweek!), while the kids tucked into chicken nuggets and chips, followed by ice cream for dessert. The best bit? Their meals and desserts were free with an adult meal – such great value for families! A CBeebies Adventure at The Lowry Thursday was the highlight of our week – we were invited to review CBeebies House Party Live  at The Lowry ! The children had the best  time dancing, singing, and spotting all their favourite characters. They even received a little goody bag and got to meet some of the cast, including Duggee , which absolutely made their day! After the show, we popped over to the Lowry Outlet Mall  for lunch – Leo and I went to Chicken Cottage while Lawrence and Alice opted for Burger King. Once we were full, we wandered back over to The Lowry as we’d booked a time slot for the galleries. While we waited, we stopped by The Lookout , where the kids played for a bit. Alice put on a mini show for us on The Little Lowry Stage , dressing up in costumes and performing with puppets, while Leo sat happily sketching away. It was such a lovely moment – one of those quiet, magic family memories. When it was time for our gallery visit, we decided to start with Lowry 360 , but Leo wasn’t too keen on the dark space, so Lawrence took him to explore the Lowry paintings while I went in with Alice. She loved it and came out telling Daddy she’d “been inside a painting”! Afterwards, I showed her the real painting in the gallery, and her face lit up – such a beautiful full-circle moment. We also took a wander through the Quentin Blake Exhibition , which both children really enjoyed. The highlight was definitely the big wooden boat in the centre – Alice loved using her imagination, making up a story about us sailing to a faraway mountain, while Leo enjoyed spotting all the hidden letters of the alphabet dotted around the exhibition. I loved seeing the original illustrations from some of my favourite childhood books – a true nostalgia trip! You can read my full review of CBeebies House Party Live   here . You can read my full review of the Quentin Blake & Me Exhibition   here . A Day at Manchester Museum On Saturday, we caught the bus into town for a visit to the Manchester Museum  to see The Cat That Slept for a Thousand Years  exhibition. The children really enjoyed it, especially spotting all the mysterious details throughout the displays. We also popped into the Dinosaur Gallery  and Vivarium  (Alice loves the tiny frogs there!). When we got home, we rounded off the day with a Domino’s  for dinner – the perfect weekend treat! (You can read my full review of The Cat That Slept for a Thousand Years   here ). A Quiet Sunday to End the Week Sunday was a lovely, relaxed day at home. The kids played with their toys and watched some TV while I caught up on editing and wrote a few theatre reviews. After such a busy week, it was nice to have some calm family time before jumping into September! Watch Our Week in Action If you’d like to see  what we got up to this week – from BBQs and CBeebies adventures to museum magic – check out our Weekly Vlog #421  below.

A Week of Theatre, Family, and Everyday Magic ✨ This week was a little quieter than usual as I wasn’t feeling 100%, but we still managed to pack in some exciting theatre trips, family fun, and back-to-school shopping. Here’s a look at what we got up to this week  – and if you’d like to see it all in action, scroll down to watch the vlog! 🎥 Diana Mixtape at The Lowry 🎶 On Tuesday, I headed to The Lowry with my brother to see The Diana Mixtape  (gifted tickets). The show was bursting with 80s and 90s pop anthems and had the whole audience clapping and dancing along. It was such a fun night out! 📖 Read my full review here: The Diana Mixtape at The Lowry Tina: The Tina Turner Musical in Liverpool 🎤 Thursday was another theatre day! Lawrence and I caught the train from Manchester Victoria to Liverpool Empire for the matinee performance of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical . Before the show, we grabbed lunch at The North Western – I went for a chicken burger while Lawrence chose beef. Then it was showtime! We were lucky enough to get brilliant circle seats at a bargain price, and even luckier when Lawrence could sit with me for Act Two. We saw understudy Bree Smith as Tina, and she was absolutely sensational – the whole audience was blown away. 📖 Read my full review here: Tina: The Tina Turner Musical Back-to-School Shopping & Arcade Fun 👟🎉 On Sunday, it was all about family life. We went to ASDA to pick up new school shoes for Alice and Leo, and for once, it was stress-free – they both liked the first pairs they tried on! 🎉 We then walked over to the Trafford Centre for lunch (KFC for us, McDonald’s Happy Meals for the kids). The shops were far too busy to look around, so instead we treated the kids to some fun at the arcade. Alice won a Peppa Pig keyring on the 2p machines, Leo won a little figure, and Lawrence managed to grab Alice a bubble tea plushie. Leo used their tickets to get a bubble tea squishy – everyone went home happy! A Slower Pace 💻 The rest of the week was quieter while I rested up. I spent time writing up reviews and catching up on some video editing – the perfect balance after a busy few days. Watch the Vlog 🎥 If you’d like to see what we got up to this week, check out Weekly Vlog #420  below.

🎉 A Week of Family Adventures Welcome back to another Weekly Update ! This week was packed full of fun family moments, exciting theatre trips, and plenty of creativity. From enjoying the Little Home Festival at HOME Manchester to seeing not one but two brilliant shows at The Lowry, it’s safe to say our week was bursting with magic. If you’d like to see everything we got up to, make sure you scroll down to watch our Weekly Vlog #418 at the end of this post. 🎭 Saturday – HOME Manchester Little Home Festival We kicked things off on Saturday with a trip into Manchester for HOME’s Little Home Festival, an annual family event we loved last year and couldn’t wait to return to. The atmosphere was amazing with live music, birthday cake (to celebrate HOME’s 10th birthday), and so many free activities for children. Alice and Leo got stuck into crafts, from building cardboard robots to colouring and even a scavenger hunt around the venue. We watched The Big Bad Wolf  in Theatre 2 – a playful re-telling that shows the wolf isn’t as “bad” as the stories suggest. With only two cast members, it was funny, heartwarming, and interactive. After the show, the children joined a mini workshop and loved pretending to be animals from the story. They even decorated cookies afterwards – a definite highlight! 🍪 We rounded off the afternoon with some quiet time in HOME’s calm space, before grabbing a late lunch and a little shopping trip in Manchester Arndale and B&M. The kids came home with new treasures – Alice with a Wicked flying monkey plush and Leo with a Pokémon Squishmallow he’s wanted for ages! 📚 Tuesday – A Squash and a Squeeze at The Lowry On Tuesday, we were back at The Lowry with gifted tickets to see A Squash and a Squeeze , based on the much-loved Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler book. It was so much fun to see the story brought to life on stage with music, laughter, and plenty of charm. 👉 You can read our full review here: Review – A Squash and a Squeeze at The Lowry 👑 Wednesday – By Royal Appointment at The Lowry Midweek, my mum joined me at The Lowry to review By Royal Appointment . It was a brilliant production with wit, elegance, and some touching moments. My mum especially enjoyed it, which made the night even more special. 👉 Read our full review here: Review – By Royal Appointment at The Lowry 🏡 The Weekend – Family Time After such a busy few days, we spent the weekend enjoying quieter moments at home. We played games, relaxed, and watched a few Disney films together – the perfect way to wind down after such a lively start to the week. 🎥 Watch Our Weekly Vlog #418 Want to see all the fun in action? From cookie decorating to theatre trips, here’s our vlog for the week:

Our Week at a Glance 🗓️ Welcome back to Sarah Monaghan: Family, Fun & Everyday Magic ! Each week I share a little peek into our world – from everyday adventures to the magical moments that make family life sparkle. This week was extra special as it was my birthday, so there’s plenty of cake, crafting, and celebrations to share. If you’d like to see what we got up to in action, you can also check out our Weekly Vlog #417 linked below – it’s packed with behind-the-scenes clips, party fun, and all the little details that made the week so memorable. 🎥💫 Monday – New Printers & A New Washing Machine The week started with some exciting deliveries. Not only did our brand-new washing machine arrive (a big relief with two kids and endless laundry!) but I also set up my new birthday printers – a normal printer, a sublimation printer, and even an edible printer. I can’t wait to start experimenting with them for crafts, cake toppers, and party projects. Tuesday – Shopping in Manchester On Tuesday, Lawrence and I headed into Manchester city centre to do some shopping. We needed gifts and cards for the children’s teachers, so we popped into Card Factory, B&M, Lush, and Lindt. Of course, we couldn’t resist picking up some bath bombs from Lush (a birthday treat for me!) and some Lindt chocolates for later. Thursday – Baking Day Thursday was a full-on baking day. I made: My birthday cake 🎂 Cupcakes 🧁 Shortbread biscuits 🍪 The kitchen smelt incredible, and it was so lovely getting everything prepared ahead of the weekend celebrations. Friday – A Change of Plans The plan was to go out for lunch and bowling with Lawrence while the kids were at school, but life had other ideas! I hurt my knee rushing for the bus and ended up having to head home. Luckily, by the afternoon it felt a bit better, so I got stuck into decorating the cake, cupcakes, and biscuits. I even made rice crispy treats and chocolate-covered breadsticks ready for the party. Saturday – Birthday Celebrations 🎉 Saturday was my actual birthday, and it was full of family fun. The day started with some cake topper printing on the edible printer, and then the kids and I made chocolate lollies with Wicked-themed toppers. We also made homemade lemonade and filled Wicked-themed party bags complete with custom stickers, bubble, and Kit Kats with wicked themed wrappers I designed myself. Meanwhile, Lawrence was busy decorating the house – streamers, balloons, banners – the works! For food, we prepared a proper spread including chicken skewers, wedges, pizza, garlic bread, sausage rolls, and nuggets. The kids loved playing Pin the Broom on the Witch, dancing, and running around the garden before it was time for candles, cake, and plenty of laughter. When everyone had gone home, and the children (and Lawrence!) were tucked up in bed, I finally relaxed with a slice of birthday cake in front of the TV – the perfect way to end a special day. Sunday – A Quiet Finish After such a busy week, Sunday was all about slowing down, resting my knee, and enjoying some leftovers. Conclusion This week was a whirlwind of deliveries, shopping, baking, and celebrating – but most of all, it was filled with family, laughter, and love. My Wicked-themed birthday party was such a joy to put together, and the kids had just as much fun as I did! ✨ Because sometimes, everyday magic looks like balloons, cake, and a game of pin the broom on the witch If you’d like to see more of what we got up to, don’t forget to check out our weekly vlog below  – it’s the perfect way to catch all the fun moments in action. 🎥💫