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My First Ballet: Coppélia #review

Things to do in London with Kids during Easter

Apparently it doesn’t matter if you’re 6 or 65 years old, men in bulging tights are hilarious!

I took my mother who is visiting from Canada and daughter to see Coppélia by the English National Ballet on Monday night at the Peacock Theatre in London and the two of them spent the first act giggling. I have to admit I was slightly distracted as well. Once we got passed being juvenile we thoroughly enjoyed it.

‘My First Ballet series brings young audiences their first taste of ballet through the magic of fairy tales, captivating music and beautiful dance’

For the last 3 years the 2nd Year Students from the English National Ballet have been putting on performances based on traditional fairy tales to foster a love of the ballet from an early age. We’ve been to see Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.

Coppélia was not one that I was familiar with and when I first started researching the story and it mentioned an eccentric toymaker who wanted nothing more to bring his doll to life, I initially thought it was going to be Pinocchio but that is where any similarities end.

A Case of Mistaken Identity

Franz and Swanilda are set to be married, but Swanilda catches Franz flirting with Coppélia, Dr Coppélius life-size doll and in a rage calls off the wedding.

The bride to be and her friends sneak into the Toymakers house to discover that she is simply a mechanical doll and cruelly fool the doctor into thinking his doll has finally come to life…..

The My First Ballet series is an excellent way to introduce both young and old to the ballet. It will be playing at the Peacock Theatre from the 8th – 19th of April.

Persil’s ‘Cook with the Kids’ Workshop and Food Fight!

Persil Cook with Kids Promise

I ,along with 88% of parents surveyed by the LMRMC, avoid baking with my daughter as it makes a mess. I find myself stressing out as flour is flicked out of the bowl, eggs shells follow the egg in the bowl and vegetable oil being vicariously poured into the measuring jug!

I’ve been to quite a few events in my time as a blogger but have to say this one with Persil UK was one of the best. When I read ‘Giant Food Fight’ in the email, I was all over it. It looked like great fun and not something I would ever do in my own house.

Persil is trying to encourage more parent to chill out, stop worrying about the mess and get cooking with their kids.

The kids had an opportunity to make their own pizzas, decorate a cupcake and then the fun began. They kitted them out in little Oompa–Loompa suits, goggles and then armed them with food ammunition, everything from custard to flour to bottles of squeezy ketchup. I think these photos say it all.

‘Every Kids’ Dream!’

Food Fight Fun - Spaghetti — Food Fight Fun – Spaghetti

The Photographer wasn't safe — The Photographer wasn’t safe

I was picking mushrooms and spaghetti out of her hair for ages and she smelled like ketchup for days, but she had such an amazing time I didn’t mind.

I promise to let the kids enjoy baking and making a mess in the kitchen

As a result of this I have pledged to stop worrying about the mess and start baking with her more. Last night we attempted to bake some Cranberry Chocolate Muffins. All we had to do was add egg, water and oil. Unfortunately, the numbers have been scrubbed off my cooker so I had to guess the temperature, unfortunately, they ended up being a bit burnt but still edible. At least I tried.

You up for the promise?

You can sign up to make the promise yourself by visiting Persil Cook with Kids. After signing up you can download a handy PDF with everything you need to get baking and making a mess with your kids. There is also a chance to win a kid-friendly-baking kit in a weekly prize draw and a kids party worth £500.

Visiting The British Museum with Kids

British Museum with Kids

My daughter’s topic at school at the moment is ‘Digging up things from the past’ which includes art. So we thought it was the perfect opportunity to pop down to the British Museum to see the Eldorado Exhibit, to show her we are interested in her learning and support what she’s doing in school. It’s only a short hop from St Pancras International, you could walk it or jump on the tube to Russell Square.

Enduring tale of a city of gold

‘The exhibition delves into the legend of El Dorado and features over 200 objects from Museo del Oro, Bogotá, and around 100 from the British Museum’s collection.’

If I’m honest, she wasn’t too taken with the exhibit, albeit it was rather impressive collection for adults, but didn’t have the ability to grab and hold her attention. Do bear in mind she is only 6 but she did enjoy working out what the objects were made of and what they may be used for, which is exactly what they’ve been doing in school.

However, we are grateful for the introduction to the British Museum. I’ve been in the UK for 15 years and have never been. I’ve been to the Science Museum and Natural History Museum but never the British Museum. You’d remember if you’d been to the British Museum, the columns as you walk up to the museum are impressive but when you enter the inner courtyard it takes your breath away.

Get the most out of the Museum

After the Eldorado Exhibit, we wondered around a bit lost, not actually lost, just not sure where to start, but then we were pointed in the direction of the Families Help Desk, where the staff were incredibly helpful. They introduced us to a selection of Museum Trails for kids age 6-11, that were only about 45 minutes long which was perfect.

Museum Trails for Kids

Surprisingly my daughter chose the one about Ancient Egypt (Sailing the Nile), even though she previously suffered from a fear of mummies, so much so that she hid all her books that had any reference to them. It was the perfect length, gave us a focal point and helped her to engage with the exhibit.

It’s Free!

We will definitely be going back to try out a few more of the trails. Thanks to American Airlines and the British Museum for this opportunity.

Note: The places to eat inside the Museum are decent, plus there are loads of pubs and other eateries dotted around the Museum. Or if the weather is nice take a picnic and eat on the stairs out front.

Travelling to Iceland with Kids

Is Iceland Child-Friendly?

‘Mummy can I go with you so we can throw snow at each other?’ Madame Age 6

In December, I had the opportunity to go to Iceland for a few days, I’d been once before about 14 years ago and my husband coincidentally was there for work back in October, now I’m desperate to take my daughter back.

‘If you don’t like the weather wait 15 minutes’ a local

I’m not going to lie to you it was cold, very cold, temperatures ranged from -5 to -10 degrees but according to the locals it was an unusually cold winter, typically at that time temperatures normally hover around 0 degrees, which I found surprising. If you take loads of layers, including thermals and you will be fine, they say that summers are quite pleasant, all though the sea never warms up enough to swim in it. Nevertheless, there are loads of natural hot springs you can wallow in to warm up.

It’s on everyone’s bucket list!

Iceland is the perfect destination for families, beyond the obvious ; the natural beauty, excellent food, friendly people, and culture but because it’s so different to anywhere I’ve ever been to before, a truly unique destination. Clearly I’ve never been to Mars, but the landscape is out of this world.

Wildlife

Iceland is not known for vast amounts of native wildlife, except for the Arctic Fox. However, there is an abundance of Bird and Marine Life. You can take to the seas and go Whale watching, something I would love to do. As my daughter is in Puffins class this year I’m sure she’d insist on going Puffin watching. I’d also like to take her horseback riding on the small but hardy Icelandic Horses.

Nature

Most kids are drawn towards theme parks for adrenalin but there is nothing more exciting than the power of mother nature.

Golden Circle

A drive to the Golden Circle is a must, a 160 mile round trip from Reykjavik, you could either hire a car or take one of the many minibus or 4 x 4 tours. The Golden Circle Tours include Gulfoss, Iceland’s most famous waterfall, Strokkur Geysir which erupts every 5-10 minutes and Thingvellir National Park, where you will learn how Iceland was born.

Blue Lagoon Thermal Pools and Spa

We only had a fleeting visit to Iceland’s Blue Lagoon, which was accidentally formed following activity at a nearby geothermal plant in 1976, which proved to have health benefits, but I would have loved to spend all day there. I’m sure my daughter and I would have a scream covering ourselves in mud.

Quad Biking

Quad biking with ATV Adventures Iceland was the highlight of my trip. We zoomed along the rugged coastline in the snow. I have experience quad biking in Canada, but nothing like this. Don’t worry you don’t need experience but you do need to hold a valid driver’s license and children as young as six can go along as a passenger.

Northern Lights

Most people have Iceland on their bucket list to see the Northern Lights. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see them, you will know by 6pm each day if the weather condition will be right to see them so you can plan accordingly. Personally, this wasn’t a disappointment for me as I grew up in Canada and have seen them in the north quite a few times.

Bizarre and Exciting Foods

Reykjavik is a foodies paradise. You can get just about anything you would get at home from Sushi to Pasta, plus you can also be a bit more adventurous and try some of the local fare. We went on a walking tour ‘Reykjavik by Food’ which was very interesting. You could try everything from Rams testicles to Sheep’s head (inclusive of eye-balls) to Fermented Shark.

They opt to eat rotten shark as this particular shark can’t be eaten fresh as it would be poisonous, as it has no kidneys and all the toxins pass through the flesh. I can’t begin to tell you how awful it tasted and requires a shot of local spirits to wash it down.

I also tried Minke whale, reindeer and several types of dried but couldn’t bring myself to try the horse or puffin.

Fussy Eaters

However, if you’re children are not that intrepid you can always go for a Hotdog, arguably Iceland’s National Food, at Baejarins Beztu Pylsur or grab a burger at the Hamburger Factory. Don’t worry they won’t go hungry.

And you also have to take a trip to the Laundromat Cafe, it’s truly child-friendly with a children’s menu, but pop downstairs and check out the Laundromat, with an area for parents to read the papers or surf the net whilst doing laundry and a play area for kids. Pure genius!

Safe

(That is an iPad on his chest)

Even though Icelanders do have a lot of guns per capita, there is very little crime and you’ll feel extremely safe walking around but obviously do apply some common sense.

‘Violent crime was virtually non-existent. People seemed relaxed about their safety and that of their children to the point where parents left their babies outside and unattended.’ via BBC News Magazine

Accommodation

We stayed in the stunning ION hotel en route to the Golden Circle, with an award winning ‘Northern Lights Bar’ and the Hotel 101 a boutique hotel in the heart of Reykjavik, which made it perfect for exploring Iceland on foot. However, if I went with my family I would opt to hire a car and go self-catering.

Getting there and away

easyJet now operates ten flights per week to Reykjavik from London Luton, Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol Airports.

It’s the perfect destination for families, we only live about 20 minutes from Luton Airport so it’s very convenient for us. The flight to Iceland due to head winds was just over 3 hours but it was only 2.5 on the way back.

Disclosure: My trip was compliments of easyJet for purposes of this review.

How to teach your kids how to sew….

Call in the experts

My 6 year old daughter has really taken to sewing. This is definitely not something that she got from me. I can sew a button on, took home economics in high-school but would be more likely to throw something out before I mended it. The last time I tried to wind a bobbin I nearly blew the motor in the sewing machine.

In the genes?

My grandmother was a very competent seamstress and always promised to make my wedding dress for me. However, I took too long getting to the alter and she had passed away by then. One of my cousins is also good at sewing but this seems to passed me by.

Phone a friend

However, we are blessed that one of my lovely neighbours Eva from Sticky Fingers Stuff is an avid stitcher and all things crafty really and been kind enough to take time out to teach Madame how to sew.

‘It’s a pleasure to spend time stitching with M, I feel I’m passing on some of what I learned from other women in my life.’

She even has a special ‘sewing room’ which is packed with bits and bobs, everything you could imagine.

They started with some simple stitches. Apparently the stitches even have names but don’t ask me….

She’s rather good

And now have moved onto more complex projects. There was a bit of ‘adult’ prep behind the scenes beforehand. I think the most touching thing is the scissors that you can see. They were Eva’s Grandmother who had a love of sewing and she has now passed them down to our daughter who is developing a love of sewing.

Eva has also pointed me in the direction of The Junior Embroiderers and Textile Students website for young people who are interested in stitching for fun or as a creative art.

I can’t wait to see what they get up to next. We can’t thank you enough Eva.