GHOST - THE MUSICAL

I remember going to the cinema to watch 'Ghost' 24 years ago (Yes really!!) I was a sniffling mess by the end of it, so when I heard it was coming to the Regent Theatre in Stoke as a stage show, I was intrigued how it would transfer. I was not in the least disappointed, just like the film it was full of laughter and tears and the music, singing and dancing was all fabulous. The stage illusions were amazing and it was good to see a few of the same quotes and scenes from the film.

As soon as the lights went down in the auditorium I started to feel the emotion and atmosphere.
Stewart Clarke who played Sam Wheat and Rebecca Trehearn who was Molly Jenson, played a very convincing couple in love, Wendy Mae Brown played Oda Mae Brown stole the show, absolutely amazing voice and lit up the stage.

Again, I ended up blubbing into my tissues, it was an energetic and truly breath-taking show, I highly recommend you get your tickets while the show is still in town, you have until the 18th January.

http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/ghost/regent-theatre/

PETER PAN FAMILY FUN

I've always loved the Pantomime, I took part in many as a child and for me it is the start of Christmas. I was delighted to go along as a representative from Redshift Radio on Saturday evening for my 'Family Ramblings' show. 

Peter Pan is a popular fairy tale, having a little boy has meant watching the Disney film and reading the book many times so I was looking forward to seeing it being adapted onto the stage. I can tell you, I wasn't disappointed, it was great family fun and we all had deep belly laughs children as well as adults.

George Knapper, a local lad played the lead role, Peter Pan and was convincing as the boy who never grows up. Seeing him fly was magical and the swordfight scenes were very professional. Luke particularly liked the fight scene as I'm sure most boys will. Adam Woodyatt who plays Ian Beale in Eastenders made a brilliant Captain Hook, not as evil as the usual panto 'baddy' but a loveable rogue. There were lots of references to Eastenders which was comical. The Grumbleweeds Slapstick comedy was hilarious, with some adult content but suitable for the children too. The rest of the cast were equally as stong, Tinkerbell in particular had a beautiful voice and I imagine had children and most males in the audience falling in love with her!

The dancers were very professional and the little 'Lost Boys' were children from local dance schools, all of whom were talented. The obligatory audience participation sing song is always a highlight for me and great for all members of the family. I have never sang that version of '12 days of Christmas' but it was the best song of the night, we sang it in the car on the way home. 

  

The scenery, costumes and acting were all of a professional quality, I highly recommend anyone to go and watch it.

Tickets are still available from http://www.crewelyceum.co.uk/

TECHNIQUEST GLYNDWR

The one and only downfall to my job, and trust me I love my job, is that I don't get to spend as much time with my boys as I'd like. Mark is a fantastic daddy and without him Hullabaloo Kids wouldn't be possible. Luke loves his 'Daddy days' when I'm working but loves it even more when we manage to get a whole family day together.
So, on Sunday we planned a family day out, originally we had discussed going to Alton Towers but the forecast wasn't looking too terrific so we decided on a visit to Techniquest Glyndwr, near Wrexham.

Luke had been twice before but it was Mark's first visit. He had heard lots about it so was looking forward to seeing what it had to offer first hand.

We are a family of puzzle solvers so it's ideal for us, there are 3 rooms with different stations where you can get stuck in to work out puzzles and tasks. Our day was made more special by Luke volunteering to help with the experiments at the interactive show. He has never been one for audience participation and always reluctant to join in when other children are bursting at the seams with their hands up. We were so thrilled that he put his hand up to be chosen, he also answered some questions too. Each show we have seen are run very professionally and the staff are very knowledgeable and friendly too.

I can highly recommend Techniquest Glyndwr for a family day out, each time I have been there has been a different theme, it's very educational and interactive so if you have small toddlers don't worry they are allowed to touch whatever they like! One word of advice though, take your own food as there are no facilities to buy anything in the centre (only light refreshments) but there are plenty of places to sit down inside and out.

For more details go to the website http://www.tqg.org.uk/

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MUMMY'S BOY!

How is it possible that my little man is 6 already? It was his birthday on 28th April and arranging his party as well as my busy schedule was a bit of a challenge, to say the least.
You may well laugh but my son does not enjoy having his facepainted, hates dancing and cheesy songs, and is not into organised sports parties. So it took a lot of deliberating over what he would like for his party.
In the end, he opted for a Lego themed party with Superhero fancy dress.

I bought a big bundle of build your own Lego cars, made a racing track with the help of my wonderful dad, made Lego chocolate and Lego jelly and Lego head cake pops and made a' face in the hole' Lego man. We hired out the Oakley Centre in Crewe.


The week before, I realised I hadn't thought about the cake so contacted Cakey Cakey and gave her the mammoth task of making a Lego cake. The result was phenomenal and I was so thrilled when I collected it. Luke's face was a picture when he saw his cake for the first time.

As parties go, there were no tears (well not many) and all the children enjoyed themselves. Luke was spoilt rotten and we need to build another extension to home all his new toys.

Thank goodness birthdays only come once a year!

ZUMBATOMIC HOLIDAY CLUB

I ran my first Zumbatomic holiday club in collaboration with Sports Coaching North West last week. I was expecting less than 10 so was pleasantly surprised when I ended up with 16 in the class.

The ages ranged from 5 to 11 years, in Zumbatomic terms this should have been split into 2 age categories so I wondered how it would go but all the girls enjoyed it thoroughly and had a fantastic time.

If you would like to book for the next holiday club at Sandbach Girls School email info@sportscoachingnw.co.uk for multi sports and Zumbatomic sessions or 'like' the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/SportsCoachingNW

EASTER BREAK

                                    

(Luke and his friend Lewis at Nantwich Museum Easter Crafts Day)

Hope you all had a fantastic Easter break, I dropped a reluctant boy off at school this morning but after having 2 weeks off, who could blame him? I managed to have Good Friday and Easter Sunday off to be a mummy and a wife, it was bliss.

On Good Friday, we visited the Reaseheath Zoo for the first time, it was a great way to spend a couple of hours and there were more animals than we expected. My favourite had to be the meercats.

Easter Saturday, I entertained over 50 children at 3 parties, it was a challenge getting between each party but  I managed it and the reward is always seeing the children's happy faces. I really do have the best job in the world, I mean, who else manages to do the Gangnam Style 3 times a day in public?!

Nantwich is host to the Jazz and Blues Festival over the Easter Weekend, it is more a 'Drinkfest' for visitors to the town now (I'm showing my age), you would avoid town with small children due to the amount of drunks but on Easter Monday, The Residence Bar and Grill held a Family Fun Day with a bouncy castle, supplied by Letts Bounce, Hair and nail art, character appearances and of course facepainting. It was a busy affair and people had waited for an hour for their children's faces to be painted.

Being a presenter on 'Toddler Talk' I get to find out what activities are on offer in the area for children during the school holidays. Luke and his friends enjoyed activities at Nantwich Museum, Lego Club at Crewe Library and the Family Movie Event held at Malbank School. No wonder he didn't want to go back to school today!

CELEBRITY VET - STEVE LEONARD

(Me with my famous guest, he is actually a lot taller but had to crouch down for me)

I'm not one to drop names or anything....honest, but I had a very special guest last week...... it was only blimmin' Steve Leonard, Celebrity Vet off of the telly! (Google if you don't know him)

Ever since I heard his brother, Tom on Redshift Radio last year, I have been thinking of ways to get either Tom or Steve onto my show, so when I found out it was National Puppy Week, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to get in touch with the practice in Wistaston and invite them onto the show. I was absolutely beside myself when they told me Steve was coming along.

He gave some fantastic advice about puppy selection for families, puppy training and advice and also his practice 'Leonard Brothers Veterinary Centre'.

If you know me, you know how enthusiastic I am about babies and children, but I am also dog mad too. I love my dog like a member of the family and can give good advice about raising a child with a dog.

It was difficult to cram all the questions into my one hour show but we managed it and Steve was a fabulous guest, very down to earth and I would have loved to have spoken to him for longer and about his tv work. There's always National Puppy Week 2014!

If you would like to listen to the interview, please click on the link:- http://www.mixcloud.com/sharon-burrows/steve-leonard-celebrity-vet/