Mothercare Cuddle & Dry Towels 3pk Grey Elephant

Don’t worry, I’m not about to launch into a rant about the effect pregnancy has on your figure or discuss ‘birthing hips’! Instead this week I had the great opportunity to catch new Cuban dance production Ballet Revolución.

When an invitation dropped into my mailbox, it didn’t take long for me to decide my response – hot, bare-chested dancers flexing their toned limbs to the sounds of Ricky Martin and Shakira? – count me in!

The Sadler’s Wells production running at London’s Peacock Theatre is fairly far removed from any typical night at the ballet, but not completely, as these dancers clearly have the skills to compete with any top ballet company. And instead of pirouettes, tutus and scrapped back buns, it was more a case of pirouettes, hip thrusts, hotpants and dreadlocks to a soundtrack of Ricky Martin’s She Bangs and Shakira’s Hips Don’t Lie, not to mention some more recent hits such as Chris Brown’s Yeah 3x and Beyonce’s If I Were a Boy, performed by a talented live band.

The tempo of the production continued to pick up pace throughout the performance brilliantly showcasing the mix of ballet, contemporary and hip hop. By the end of the night, it was hard not to want to join in and shake a hip or two.

At the Peacock Theatre, London until May 19 – definitely worth booking a ticket!

HANDS up who remembers reading The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole as a child?

Well now the much-loved novel by Sue Townsend has been adapted into a stage musical and is running at London’s Ambassadors Theatre – and you could be there watching it with your family!

Set in 1980s Leicester, the adaptation of the best-selling book is described as ‘a timeless tale of teenage angst, family struggles and unrequited love, told through the eyes of tortured poet and misunderstood intellectual Adrian Mole.’

For a chance to win a family of four ticket, all you have to do is sign up to follow my blog via email and follow my Instagram account @themediamummy for an additional entry.

Sue Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13¾ – The Musical runs until 12 October 2019

Ambassadors Theatre, West Street, London WC2H 9ND 

www.adrianmolethemusical.com

Terms and conditions – Ticket competition for a family of four ticket to be redeemed on a Monday-Thursday show, subject to availability during July & August. Name to be drawn on Thursday 27 June, 11pm (UK time).

  To say this latest offering from Aardman – the creators of Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run – was long-awaited is a bit of an understatement..! And so as a bevy of children and adults gathered at a preview screening to watch Shaun the Sheep’s big screen debut, there was a certain sense of excitement in the air.

I’m glad to say we – both myself and my four year old – didn’t leave disappointed. With lots of laughs for both the kids and the big kids (ie adults) Shaun the Sheep’s journey into the big city to rescue his Farmer is well worth a watch. To be honest I wasn’t sure I’d be able to make it through 90 minutes of no real dialogue, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Admittedly my little one was a bit scared when the ‘not very nice’ animal catcher came onto the screen, but overall lots of jokes for all ages and a big thumbs up!

In cinemas February 6.

#ShauntheSheepMovie

DID you know that more than half of parents would stop their child from playing with another child displaying an obvious skin condition because they fear it’s contagious?

Sounds shocking, but as parents we do our best to protect our children from harm, not always thinking things through before we act.

The research by Aveeno Baby came as the skincare brand launched their latest product, Dermexa Moisturing Wash.

A self-confessed fan of Aveeno Baby I was delighted to be invited to join celebrity mum Izzy Judd and dermatologist Dr Stefanie Williams to learn more over breakfast.

Not only was it a refreshing change from the school run, it was a chance to quiz the pair on how mums like me and my children could benefit from using the new product.

The launch coincided with National Eczema Week and Izzy – former member of Escala, married to McFly drummer Harry and mum to Kit and Lola – explained how her daughter Lola suffered an outbreak of eczema last year.

An Aveeno Baby ambassador she has now been using the products for three years – and hasn’t looked back.

She acknowledged the pressure felt by parents when it came to taking care of their kids’ skin – over a third surveyed admitted they would be embarrassed about their little one’s appearance during any flare up.

I’ve been using the new Moisturising Wash for a couple of weeks now and have no complaints.

Dr Stefanie also gave a few tips on the day which included applying moisturising cream to damp skin to help lock the moisture in.

Also a warning not to use skin-friendly products like Aveeno, only to go and give your child a bubble bath, which will undo all your hard work!