Go Ape Matfen Review

AD - Complementary tickets. 

When an invite to try out Go Ape tree-top challenge landed in my inbox a few weeks ago my initial reaction was no-way am I trying that as I am terrified of heights. However, once I realised my teen was old enough to go around the course herself (16-17 years can tackle the course alone) then I signed her and her friend up straight away, as Go Ape sounded right up her street (she is a bit of an adrenaline junkie, unlike her mam).

Go Ape is located in Matfen in the lovely Northumberland countryside, right near Matfen hall and golf course and it is only about a 20-minute drive from Newcastle. Luckily on the day we visited the sun was shining and it was a lovely day to be out in the countryside. Following the directions for the golf course, we soon arrived in the large free car park and instantly spotted the wooden Go Ape hut.

We Got Married

After two years of planning, we finally got married! If you follow me on social media you have probably already seen some photos of the day, there is going to be a whole lot of wedding spam over the coming weeks. I honestly don't know where to begin telling you all about the big day as it was just perfect, we were blessed with wonderful weather as it was the hottest day of the year so far, although the whole day just went by so very fast. 

We got married last Saturday on the 29th of June, which would have been my late mam's birthday. I chose that day as a way to remember her on my special day and so she was a part of my wedding day because getting married without your mam is bloody hard and rather emotional if I am honest. When we got engaged we knew we wanted a summer wedding and when I saw her birthday was on a Saturday we knew that was the day we wanted and luckily the venue had that day free. 

Inflata Nation North Shields Review

We received complimentary tickets 

Inflata Nation opened its Newcastle venue a few months ago and we were invited to the launch event. Sadly we couldn't make the event but we were kindly invited back to try it out and we visited during the recent May half-term holidays. Inflata Nation Newcastle is an inflatable obstacle course inside an inflatable building, so it is super easy to spot. It is located at the Royal Quays in North Shields so not technically in Newcastle but only a few miles away and its location makes it really easy to get too as it is not far from the A19 and Tyne Tunnel. Plus there is a bus stop and a metro station not too far away. 

We were booked to attend on a Tuesday lunch-time during half-term so it was busy but we could still get on everything without waiting and there was plenty of free parking available. We had already pre-booked the session online, which is recommended but you can just turn up on the day and see if there is space in the next session. When you arrive you just give the booking number and check the waiver is signed and then you go and watch a safety video. 

Disney On Ice Celebrates 100 Years Of Magic In Newcastle This October

AD- I received press tickets for the show in return for this post. 

Disney On Ice is returning to Newcastle's Utilita arena this October to celebrate 100 years of magic and I for one can not wait! This year's show is set to bring more than 50 unforgettable Disney stars to the ice from 14 much-loved Disney stories. Mickey and Minnie will be on hand as always to introduce us to mesmerising skating scenes from The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, Toy Story, Nemo and Aladdin to name just a few and I am sure the audience will be mesmerised and singing along to popular Disney songs from the start. 

As a parent, I adore Disney On Ice, let's be honest must of us do as Disney just evokes such wonderful memories. I have been going to see Disney On Ice for over ten years now, I remember taken my eldest to see Princess Classics all the way back in 2008/2009. She went dressed up as Cinderella, complete with glass slippers and she was thrilled to be watching the show as it set it off a love affair with Disney On Ice. 

Dining Out With Teens - Thaikhun Metrocentre

AD - Complimentary meal. 

My eldest daughter is 16 and I always try and spend time alone with her, just the two of us at least once a month. It gives us a chance to catch up and I think when you have more than one child, spending one-on-one time with each child is important. Normally when I spend time with my teen we go shopping and for food somewhere that she likes, as she is getting older she is enjoying trying new places as her tastes are a lot different than her younger siblings. So when I was recently invited along to try out the new menu at Thaikhun in the Metrocentre I knew she would enjoy trying out some Thai food and getting her mam to her self for a few hours. 

I have visited Thaikhun in the Metrocentre a few times, we have dined there as a family, as a couple and we also attended a cooking class there. It is somewhere that I always enjoy visiting as the setting is fab (it is decorated to represent the streets of Thailand with interesting things everywhere you look), it has a lovely laid back atmosphere, the staff are so friendly and most importantly of all the food is delicious. 

Feeling Nostalgic For The 90s With The Spice Girls

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I loved the 90s, being born in the early 80s the 90s was the decade I grew up in and I have so many amazing memories. From the cool TV shows, Saturday morning TV rocked! To the questionable fashion styles, Adidas popper pants, hair scrunchies, plastic dummy necklaces and platform trainers anyone? To the catchy pop music filling the charts, it was a decade full of fun that I remember fondly. 

So when I heard iconic 90s pop group the Spice Girls were back I was instantly transported back to being a teenager, waiting to watch them on Top Of The Pops on a Friday evening and heading to HMV to buy their latest single (remember when you could buy a single on CD or cassette tape?). I was 13 when Wannabe hit the airwaves and I used to make up dance routines with my friends and knew every word, I probably still do.

Pop Pop Snotz Toy Review

Like most young children my 4 and 6-year-old love tiny collectable surprise type toys and slime - thanks to Youtube! My daughter has so many collectable surprise type toys and her little brother always wants to join in but there are not many available for boys that appeal to him. So when we heard about Pop Pop Snotz I knew these would be something that he would really enjoy as they have sets that will appeal to boys and girls. 

We were sent the green ones which are called Pop Pop Snots and are little balls you pop, kind of like bubble wrap and when you pop them green slime comes out. Some of the Pop Pops have just green slime in them and some of them have a small collectable snotz toy in them. These are probably more appealing to little boys, although my daughter liked them just as much as her brother; they do Pop Pop Pets which are pink and purple too.