23 September 2018

Review: Disney On Ice Presents Dream Big!

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It's been a really busy week for us as a family with lots of exciting things going on. One of them being taking a trip through to Glasgow to see the new Disney On Ice show Dream Big. We were all very excited about this show as we knew Moana would be paying a visit. She's definitely a firm favourite in this house with the movie and songs being played constantly.

The show was held at the Intu Braehead Arena in Glasgow this time around which is great as there's ample free parking, tons of shops and places to eat before it's time to take your seat. The kids were also lucky enough to have a little meet and greet with Mickey Mouse before the show started so we took the opportunity to snap a family photo.

We were all soon settled into our seats waiting for the Disney magic to happen and the kids tucked into their Olaf slushies which kept them quiet and settled (i.e. no sibling fighting, win!). The Fit to Dance crew were soon flooding the ice and getting the kids on their feet before the main act. Harlow loved dancing around and copying the skaters.

Then the show began and we were thrust into a world of Disney heaven with minute after minute of amazing songs and jam packed action on the ice. Each character was full of life and recognisable for the kids who loved every minute. There was lots of special effects this time as well with confetti, bubbles and butterflies dropping from the ceiling as well as smoke, pyrotechnics, rope swinging and even fire on the ice!! We were all super impressed with the fire.

Here's a few photos of the show which I think totally speak for themselves but I honestly think this was the best Disney On Ice show yet and if you get a chance to go along then take it. The kids (and you) will love it and it's one of those places you don't have to worry if they're running around and making lots of noise. In fact the Disney crew totally encourage it! So get along to your nearest show and have some fun.

The production will visit the Braehead Arena from 21st – 30th September 2018.







We were given tickets to this event in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

21 September 2018

Explore the deep with the Sea Creatures Tour now in Edinburgh!

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We're big animal lovers in our house with a thirst for knowledge and understanding of how the animal kingdom thrives. I remember watching countless videos of David Attenborough narrating a Killer Whale hunt back when I was in primary school and the fascination of the deep blue sea has never left me. Throw in a hubby, son and daughter who are also fascinated by ocean life and you can just imagine the excitement then when we were invited along to the jaw dropping Sea Creatures Tour at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh.


The most fascinating Sea Creatures Exhibition is now in Scotland for the first time ever at the Royal Highland Centre right next to Edinburgh Airport (so it's really easy to find). The exhibit takes place in the Lowland Hall, which is right next to Secure Airparks to give you an idea of location, and it's a big open space in which to view these amazing animals. This exhibition is packed with 50 full body, real specimens, 150 body parts and organs and an interactive digital show. Sea Creatures are inviting family audiences to explore and truly understand marine life, conserving marine species and raise awareness of marine conservation.


It was good to hear that all of the animals had been collected ethically (i.e. died of natural causes and donated) and that none of them were taken from their natural habitats. Raising awareness and conservation efforts is a great achievement for this event considering a lot of the animals on display are quite endangered in the wild.


As well as the beautifully majestic sea creatures on display there is an interactive Augmented reality APP to get involved with. Simply download the app and scan the creatures as you explore the deep. Can you collect them all!? As well as the cool app there's an immersive 9D Virtual Reality experience, double world record minke whale on display, interactive ball pit game for kids, magical walk through holographic gates, a cinema, face painting, henna and loads more. Some of these activities come at an extra cost, such as the face painting, but there's no pressure of course . So much to see, do and learn all in the one place. Never in human history has our appetite for knowledge about the blue planet been so inquisitive and I can tell you now that my kids absolutely loved it!


From 21st September to 18th October 2018 you and your family can visit the Sea Creatures: Life Beneath The Ocean tour and see exactly for yourself why it's a once in a life time opportunity not to be missed. Once it's gone that's it so I highly recommend paying a visit if you can.


To celebrate the launch of this unique Exhibition, Sea Creatures are offering kids go free tickets. One free child ticket with every full paying adult! There is no catch, just visit the tickets website and click through to buy tickets and select the ticket that says 'ADULT with KIDS GO FREE TICKET'. You better be quick though before they're all gone as it's for a limited time only.


I honestly cannot recommend this event enough. If you get the opportunity please do visit, you won't regret it. The family and I spent a good 3 hours going round the exhibit when we visited and I could have stayed longer there was so much brilliant information and facts to discover. My son, who as you know loves a good fact, was in his element and the virtual reality experience plus some face painting totally made his day. He was buzzing! Miss madam chops also thoroughly enjoyed the whole event with the penguins feeding her curiosity as well as the interactive ball pool, drawing stations and sand pit keeping her very happy. A brilliant experience for all the family.

We were invited to view this exhibition in return for an honest review.

13 September 2018

It's Maui Time! with Disney On Ice presents Dream Big

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The last Disney On Ice show that we saw was back in March this year with Worlds of Enchantment and it was an amazing show as always. This month we're really excited for the new Disney On Ice show Dream Big which is going to be featuring Moana!! It's a major favourite in our house (we watch it at least once a day) so I can't wait to take the kids along to see it. Here's a little bit directly from the Disney On Ice promotion team to get your juices flowing for the upcoming show.

Audiences will set sail with the wayfinder Moana as she makes her Glasgow debut live on ice in Disney On Ice presents Dream Big. This all-new production, produced by Feld Entertainment, assembles a collection of inspiring stories connected by a cast of characters with a desire to explore the depths, heights and horizons of their dreams. Alongside Moana and demigod Maui are eight tales of courage and heart, including Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Tangled. The production will visit the Braehead Arena from 21st – 30th September 2018. Tickets are available from www.disneyonice.co.uk and priority customers can take advantage of the pre-sale to get their hands on the best seats by heading to www.prioritycustomer.co.uk.


Courage leads the way for Disney’s most daring heroines, in this brand-new ice skating spectacular. Travel to the kingdom of Arendelle with Anna, Elsa and Olaf in a dramatic retelling of the sisterly love that saved a kingdom. Jump into amazing adventures with Aladdin as he seizes his chance to outwit his adversaries in the marketplace of Agrabah. Discover uncharted worlds with Rapunzel and Jasmine. Battle the villain Maleficent in the form of a fire-breathing dragon alongside Prince Phillip, igniting the ice in a blazing spectacle. Dive under the sea with headstrong Ariel as she yearns to explore life above the waves and is willing to risk it all for curiosity and the thrill of adventure. And find the inner strength that comes from kindness and determination with Belle, Aurora and Cinderella. Plus, arrive early to celebrate 90 years of Walt Disney’s true original, Mickey Mouse. High-flying jumps, breathtaking skating and lovable Disney friends make Disney On Ice presents Dream Big an experience your family will never forget!


“Disney On Ice presents Dream Big was created with the intention to inspire everyone to explore their world by highlighting the defining moments of relatable characters who became their own heroes,” says Executive Vice President and Producer Nicole Feld. “Having both a daughter and son at home, I knew it was important to present a variety of Disney stories as well as show the connection between these stories and illustrate how a journey can unfold in many ways.”

“Our greatest wish for our guests is that they will be inspired by these tales of bravery and see that anything is possible if you follow your dreams,” says Feld Entertainment Regional Vice President, Steven Armstrong. “Many of the stories we’re presenting – like Cinderella and The Little Mermaid - have been around for generations and stand the test of time. Others, like Moana and Frozen, inspire a new generation of young girls through self-reliance and a belief in themselves.”

Dream Big captures all the magic and adventure of Disney’s immortal tales through cutting edge figure-skating, eye-catching costumes and stunning set designs. Through innovative lighting and thrilling special effects, audiences are transported to a world of imagination, where heroes of every kind seek to fulfill their dreams. High-flying jumps, breathtaking skating and lovable Disney friends make Disney On Ice presents Dream Big an experience families will never forget!


Disney On Ice presents Dream Big will be skating into Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Nottingham and London from the 21st September 2018 to 6th January 2019. Stay current on the latest developments through social media @DisneyOnIce.

As you can see the show is going to be jam packed with exciting appearances from the Disney favourites so grab your tickets whilst they're still available and head through to your nearest show. Have fun!

This is a collaborative post. All opinions are my own.

8 September 2018

Review: Bookabees Book Subscription Box for Kids

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As you all know we love books in this house and we totally love a subscription box so when you combine the two you know good things are about to happen! Introducing Bookabees. It's a children's books subscription box with a difference, like a little book club, so let me explain firstly how it all works.


Step 1: would be to choose how many books you want to receive each month. There's a choice of 1 (£4.99), 3 (£8.99) or 5 (£10.99). If it's your first time then you get your first month for half price. It's worth noting you can change or stop your orders at any time. Step 2: you fill out your own details and create a username and password. You also fill out your child's details, name, birthday, gender etc. Step 3: you then decide which address the books are going to, when you want them to arrive and of course your payment details. A very simple and easy process to follow to sign up. Of course you can also go into your account to queue books for your child or you can let the Bookabees team of experts do that for you.


Once you've signed up for your first book delivery you wait for it to arrive by post. The books come in a well packaged cardboard sleeve, to keep them protected, and it's clearly addressed to your little one. My two were super thrilled when the package arrived with their names in bold on the front. When opened up the inside of the packaging is all part of the fun. There's a place for your child to give feedback on their favourite book and to draw a picture of it plus little pictures to colour in as well as a quick hints list for the grown ups on what to do next.


Also inside, as well as your surprise books, your child will receive goodies such as stickers, a bookmark, door hanger, meet the Bookabees and the Bookabees yeller. It's all these little extras which make such a special touch. Now that you have your book(s) you get to read them for 2 months before you have to decide to either return them for free or keep them and buy them from Bookabees for 50% off the RRP. It's like having a library of books delivered to your door every month with the bonus of being able to purchase them for half the retail price. Amazing if your child really loves the books, like a try before you buy. And if you don't want to keep them you simply put them back in the package they came in, tape it up and stick the freepost returns label on the front then it's good to go back to the post office. Easy peasy.


Both Logan and Harlow received 3 books each and they're much loved. Logan was lucky enough to get The Story of Trains, Facts - essential knowledge for curious kids and Destination: Space. Three excellent books that he happily delves into before bed time most nights. Harlow received Dogs don't do Ballet, T-Veg and Emily Brown and the Thing. All really lovely books and perfect for sharing at bedtime. Her favourite was Dogs don't do Ballet, it's such a lovely story about following your dreams and doing what you love.


I personally loved this subscription service because it's very reasonably priced, it's delivered straight to your door so a brilliant surprise for the kids to open and enjoy, the books are of high quality, they're very relevant to your child's interests and I like it that you can tailor the books to suit when you log into your account on the Bookabees site. It's easy to add, move and remove books as you see fit so you know your child will be receiving books relevant to them.

Bookabees is a really lovely way to introduce your children to books and a service that I'd highly recommend. You can even give a child a Bookabees subscription as a gift!

We were sent these books in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

5 September 2018

Dreaming of Retirement at 50

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I know I'm still a young spring chicken (mostly) but it's never too early to think long term about my retirement plan. I've always had the dream of retiring early and enjoying my life when I'm still young enough to do so. It's one of the reasons why I decided to have children at a young age so I'll still be around, hopefully, when they're adults.

There's so many questions when it comes to retiring; what age is the right age? What will I do with myself? Should I still work part time? Shall I do a once in a lifetime travel trip? So many things to think about so I'm going to tell you what I'd love to do with my life if I manage to retire at the prime young age of 50.


Volunteering
In the past few years I've found a real love for volunteering, basically giving my time to charities for free. I've volunteered at food banks, homeless charities and even helping to dig up and landscape gardens. It's so nice to help out and give something to those who really need our help. It's hard to do it all at the moment but when I retire I'll have a lot more time on my hands and the kids will be older as well. Hopefully I'll get a regular slot at a local charity.

Experience The World
Travelling with my two kids at the moment involves mostly package holidays as it's just so much easier for us as a family. When I retire though I'd love to travel the world to more unusual places and definitely visit some of the wonders of the world. I could start with the 7 wonders and see how I get on from there.

Be a Granny
Maybe by the time I'm 50 I'll be a Granny!! Scary thought indeed but I'd love to help and support my kids with any granchildren that come along. I know how hard it is looking after my two so all the help and support I can give would put a smile on my face.

Ladies That Lunch
The absolute luxury to sit and have lunch with friends and family sounds amazing! A wee afternoon tea with champagne wouldn't go a miss either. I love going out to eat but don't do it often with the crazy kids but I'm definitely going to take advantage when I retire.

Relax
Sounds simple but I don't often get the time to sit and relax. I'm always running around after the kids, the husband or the dogs ha ha so I'll be taking some time back just for me. I have visions of sitting with a good book and a hot cup of tea taking in the world as it goes by.

These are some of the things I hope to achieve when I retire. It's not an exhaustive list but definitely some top priorities in there because life after 50 doesn't stop, it only gets better. I'd love to hear what you would like to do when you retire? Please do leave me a comment below.
 

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