Disney Junior shows and products - GIVEAWAY

Disney Junior

Disney Junior celebrates Spring with some of their most lovable characters. The retail campaign in conjunction with Disney Junior shows is launching on 15 September.  The products range from puzzles and books to toys and figurines available at retailers nationwide. The shows include Fancy Nancy Clancy, Vampirina, Puppy Dog Pals, The Lion Guard and everyone's favorite mouse, Mickey Mouse.

New Seasons of Disney Junior Shows - Giveaway

Disney Junior - Mickey and the Roadster Racers

Some of our favourite Disney Junior shows on DSTv Channel 309 are starting new seasons in November.
To highlight this, Disney has given me two hampers to give away!

P. King Duckling, Mickey and the Roadster Racers, Sofia the First, Lion Guard and Vampirina (which already launched in October) will start with new episodes.

Disney Cinderella Kids is a must-see at the Peoples Theatre

"So this is love – Cinderella dances her way to the People’s Theatre this holiday season!"

Disney Cinderella Kids, the most magical, theatrical show for the little ones (and the Big Ones)! We got an invite to opening night of Disney Cinderella Kids on Friday night.

This is definitely a show for the whole family! The story and characters are a delight!

Disney Cinderella Kids - Cinderella with her stepmom and stepsisters
Cinderella Kaylan Sabbadin with her ugly stepsisters - Genevieve Olivier and Tanja Sranszen and her step mother Alida Senekal

We saw a production of Disney Cinderella Kids - also at the Peoples Theatre - three years back when Little Miss celebrated her fifth birthday! It was a blast then, but I think this show is even better! There's a different spin on the classic tale and I can't decide between who makes us laugh the most; the two mean sisters or the little mice?

Luckily Cinderella still lands the Prince!

Kaylan Sabbadin as Cinderella and Thokozani Jiyane as Prince Charming  

“The timeless fairy tale is set to become a new audience favourite in Disney’s Cinderella Kids, an adaptation of the treasured animated film that will charm its way into your heart and remind audiences that A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes and really can come true,” said Jill Girard & Keith Smith, who add this production of Cinderella Kids to their 25-year repertoire.

There is nothing as exciting as waiting for the curtains to rise...

Ready with the right SnapChat filter: "Princess"

Photo-op with Cinderella

The cutest actors/mouses ever!

Cinderella Kids will run at the People’s Theatre from 5 June - 30 July.
There are two shows daily at 09:00 and 11:00 during school times, and 10:30 and 14:30 on Saturdays and public holidays, certain government school holidays and certain Sundays.
Tickets are R130 per person and bookings can be made through WebTickets, or by calling Peoples Theatre on 011 403 1563/2340 or emailing them at info@peoplestheatre.co.za

Peoples Theatre
Twitter: Peoples Teatre #CinderellaKids

The Working Mothers Expo - next time I am taking a day!

The Working Mothers Expo finally came around this past weekend. We went to the Sandton Convention Centre on Saturday afternoon. I plan to take a day (at least) next time (in May!) to pamper and experience more than we could in an afternoon

I listened to two speakers, Janice Windt, the MD of Working Mothers Expo, and Shaney from You Baby and I.

Janice Windt

Janice Windt shared her parenting and career journey up until The Working Mothers Expo. She is already planning the next Working Mothers Expo for next year as well.

A great life hack from her: Life hack - take 5 min each day to write down priorities! 

Shan Vijendranath

Shan is a very successful blogger who stressed the importance of a social media strategy:

Her tips for a social media strategy include the following points:

1. Identify clear goals
2. Know your target market
3. Listen and compare, but stay authentic
4. Pick the right platforms
5. Build your brand
6. Mix it up by keeping up with Industry Trends
7. Engage your audience
8. Attract potential clients
9. Listen to your analytics
10. Plan and schedule

Little Miss loved the Bounce Inc area, and could not get enough! There were lots for her to do!

But next time I will definitely take a day to listen to more speakers, to take my time through the exhibitors, and to get a pamper in! (And maybe leave the rest of the family at home...)

I finally found the Mooncup (menstrual cup) at the Expo, but that warrants its own post.



Disclaimer: We got a family ticket for one day at the Expo.

Dora's Pirate Adventure - an interactive magical musical stage show

Dora's Pirate Adventure at Emperor's Palace

Dora the Explorer Live! It's a great experience for all children who can't get enough from Dora on Nickelodeon. We thought that Little Miss would be bored with it, but not at all! She even declared that it was her "best day" after the show. She arrived in a foul mood because she fell asleep in the hectic afternoon traffic to the South, and it was not a good day at school!
But Dora changed it for her!

Dora’s Pirate Adventure has already been to Durban. It is now on at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg from 7-12 July, and they are opening up more shows on Monday! They are finally dropping anchor at the Grand Arena, Grand West Casino, in Cape Town from 15-17 July.

Dora and her pals Boots and Diego are on a voyage of discovery as they embark on an exciting trip to Treasure Island in search of the ultimate pirate party. It's a very interactive show asking the children to help them to navigate over the Dancing Mountain and through the Silly Singing Bridge in pursuit of the Pirate Piggies. The kids enjoy waving their flags and singing and dancing along. My fun came from watching the children being mesmerised! Dora the Explorer fans use their map-reading, counting, musical and language skills to help Dora reach Treasure Island and avoid that pesky fox, Swiper!

We attended Thursday night's show at Emperor's Palace.

Miss Earth finalists

Nick Jr. cupcakes

The kids love a hug from Dora

Bubbles at the end of Dora's Pirate Adventure

It's a great outing for the family during the holidays!

For more information: Nickelodeon Africa 
Twitter @NickAfrica
Instagram @Nickelodeon_Africa
Facebook at Nickelodeon


Disclaimer: We got tickets to attend the show.

A stunning spectacular for the whole family: Mystic India

#MysticIndiaSA

We were invited to the launch of Mystic India at The Teatro at Montecasino on Tuesday night!
It starts today, 29 April until the 1st of May. (Why for such a short time?)
It is stunning!
It is spectacular! 

Go see it!! You won't be disappointed!
(I would take my Littlest and Eldest as well!)

Mystic India

 I have always had a fascination with Indian music. My mother worked with an Indian co-worker while I was still at school, and he used to send me the latest Indian music of the time (1980s oh boy!). I was mesmerized! We also came across many belly-dancing techniques from the Indian dance move culture while I was busy doing belly dancing classes. The Indian culture is rich and fascinating!

Mystic India - the formal talk:

"Seen by over half a million people during countless worldwide performances and tours, Mystic India is an internationally acclaimed Bollywood music and dance spectacular based on the concept of ancient India’s transition into modern India.  

Featuring some 22 talented musicians, brilliant dancers, mind-boggling aerialists and acrobats, as well as 750 lavish costume changes, the show is bound to keep you at the edge of your seat. The flamboyant costumes and extravagant sets have been custom-designed in India’s film capital by a team of 40 creative designers and collaborators over the course of the last four years.  

This production intertwines a mesmerising combo: Traditional India meets the urban streets of Mumbai and New York. It is hip and trendy with all the glitter and bling to make it an all-out sensory sensation. This feast showcases Bollywood at its finest and audiences can brace themselves for an explosion of colour and energy.  

Audience members will be invited along for a festive journey through Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, and even through the evolution of Bollywood films via a visual display that fuses dance, theatre and special effects."

My photos does not do it any justice!

Mystic India

Bollywood in South Africa ! - Mystic India so much energy and Colour! #mysticindiasa #theblubloodway https://t.co/ngYLRubSDj

— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) 26 April 2016

Wow! Photos don't do this justice! #mysticindiasa #theblubloodway @MONTECASINOZA pic.twitter.com/Um150A9PI1

— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) 26 April 2016

Just go and see it!


Hubby and I made it a date night, and tried out Deena's Aarya at Montecasino. It was our first time there! (definitely not the last)
The Indian curry paired very well  with the show!

Deena's Aarya

Mamma Mia! - Great show

 I was lucky enough to win two tickets to the opening night of Mamma Mia! at Montecasino on Tuesday. It is a bit difficult in the middle of the week to attend shows, especially when it is two and half hours... (we only got to bed after midnight). But it was extremely enjoyable!

The international cast is very professional. They have been to 77 cities in 36 countries and have been seen by over 4.5 million people.

The highlight was the three "older" ladies in the roles of the mother and friends of hers!  Also of course 22 of ABBA's songs. The audience really loved singing along, especially when they performed some of the songs again at the encore at the end! The ladies in the audience also got a lot of eye-candy from the male dancers/singers in the show! An all-round feel good entertainment!

We were sitting in the middle, but had no problem with the view or sound. There was a short break in the beginning, when they announced a technical glitch, but it was quickly sorted. I wish I could have taken photos during the show, because the lighting and characters are very colourful!

The obligatory selfie, me with a red nose because of a cold

Radio 2000, M-Net and Fairlady presented the show here in South Africa. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Fairlady celebrated it's 50th birthday. Every second seat had a Fairlady magazine.

Fairlady has been one of my choice magazines since I was a young girl. My mother used to buy one every week. Then I bought them when I went to university. We had a standing movie day on a Wednesday where we went to Johannesburg to watch a movie, but also to buy our magazines to read them in the afternoons... (*sigh* - those were the days!) 

I still buy a Fairlady when I have something left on the budget (or Not!...).

I highly recommend Mamma Mia!
I don't even like musicals, but with the music and the great performances it makes it worth seeing!

Santana - an unexpected weekend

FNB Stadium

We got the Santana tickets on Friday from a colleague who could not go any more! 

As I was eyeing the concert since it was announced (but did not have the budget), and trying to win some tickets, we were more than excited!

Luckily The Student was home for the weekend and she could baby-sit Little Missy. They were both not impressed. The Student and Little Missy wanted to go as well! But I don't think Little Missy would have lasted for the whole evening...

It was rainy and it was cold! 

But it was more than worth it in the end!

Johnny Clegg took up the stage before Santana, and it was my first time that I saw him life and in action! We have been listening to him since we were at school, and he is still rocking it! He also got two acts with Carlos Santana in his show. Amazing!

Carlos Santana performed most of his well-known songs with two male singers on stage, accompanied by great musicians! Stunning! Stunning!

Our view from the stadium

Yes, we have evidence!

That was an unexpected treat for a rainy weekend! 

How was your weekend?

Space Travel at the Johannesburg Planetarium

Johannesburg Planetarium 

I don't know why we haven't taken Little Missy before to the Planetarium in Johannesburg, because it is really worth it.

They have a Space Travel show for 5 - 8 year old's on at the moment, and we all loved it! The birthday children had to help to switch on the "machine", and off we went with Thomas the Astronomer in his giant rocker, first to the game reserve, then the moon, and then beyond!

Watching the stars - flat on her back on her chair 

They have a lovely library of space-related literature
to keep you busy before the show starts

They also cater for parties, and there are some love places under the trees to set up some chairs and a table with cake and goodies.

We will be coming back.
The admission prices are also very affordable!

On the red carpet

Little Missy has been asking us to also go to a musical event. She gets very upset when she sees that we have been to a show and that she was not there.

I took her along to an Afrikaans music show on Friday. I thought that she would enjoy it, especially since she is always complaining that "hulle praat nie my taal nie" (they do not speak my language). We are being asked to translate the English songs playing on the radio.

She loved it! But sitting quietly for one and half hours is not a strong point yet!
It was an exercise in patience and "shhh..." on my side. Especially when she asked whether the artist is a boy or a girl. Very loud!

She was also very interested in the artist in the wheelchair, and why are his legs not working?

I was thankful for a packet of sweets and chewing gum in my bag. Next time I will remember to bring water  along as well. I had to distract her for longer than an hour because she was thirsty! (She had a drink just before the show).

I also had to dislodge chewing gum from her fingers, and mine, when she was finished with it. I ended up chewing the gum, and dislodged another piece of a tooth which needs to be fixed now!

I breathed a huge sign of relief when the show ended!

We will be going to more shows! But next time we will be sitting in the corner, near the isles, and not in the middle of the theatre!

At the Festival with a Little One - #Aardklop

Going to a festival with a Little One is a total different ball-game!

We went only for a day; on Saturday. The Potchefstroom Clover Aardklop festival, with mostly Afrikaans cultural shows, music and theater shows, was on for the past week. The Student was working at the festival for the whole week, and we missed her! It was great to see her for half an hour in-between her work schedule.

We were a bit lot disgusted that we had to pay such a huge amount to get into the festival area. The previous years there were no fees involved. You had access to everything. Which meant that we did not go there at all! And I was salivating for the obligatory fish and sweet potato tent...

But there were still lots to do in Potchefstroom!

We spend some time at the swings. (As you do!)

The venue for the show had lots to keep the children busy.

We watched a show about fairies, and got the photo next to her favourite fairy in the play.
Little Missy loved it!

Droombos se nuwe prinsessie
(Dream forest's new princess)

After the play we spent some time at the River Cafe.

The view from River Cafe

Great food, although they only have a small kitchen,
and you have to wait a bit longer

We will come back to this place. It was a great way to end the day in Potch!

And then it was back on the road before it was too dark...


A total different way to spend at an Art Festival, but we wouldn't want it any other way!


How was you weekend?

Sleeping Beauty is a hit!

Disney's Sleeping Beauty is still on at the People's Theatre at the Joburg Theatre Complex in Braamfontein.

We went to see it the previous weekend.

It is still on until the 21 of April.

It is worth it to sign in to the Kid's Club. The birthday girl or boy get a free show each year, and they get invited on to the stage. The people accompanying the member also gets to pay less each time! (Always a win!)

It really is a hit with the children.
The older children, age 10 to 80, enjoyed it just as much! (Hubby and The Student included!)

There are a regular update of photos on the People's Theatre Facebook page if you want to see some photos of the show. The costumes and characters are a real treat!

Our Little Missy laughed and got frightened (Maleficent IS scary!) and hid underneath her dad's arm and laughed again.

By the break all the children had a light stick/sword (an extra R30), but it all contributed to the fun!

We will be back for the next Aristocats coming up.

(This is not a sponsored post.)

Hooked on Ballet

I like to take the Toddler to a ballet concert at least once a year. She enjoys it soooo much, and I think she gets an idea of what it is all about!

This year we had tickets for a show, and the show got cancelled a week before the time.

Luckily a friend of mine told me about their children's end-of-year concert of the Dance School Hooked on Dance.

Leigh-Anne Gorrie, the Principal Dance Mistress, presented a whole show with her fledgling and more advanced dancers in different genres of dance styles.

The littlest ones were once again the stars of the show. These two twins (on the right) had us laughing smiling about their antics on stage.

We had a Toddler enthralled!
With a regular chirp-in: "Where's Cara?" and "There's Cara!" (one of the friends in the show)


It definitely inspired our Toddler, because she has been commanding us to sit down countlessly to watch our Toddler dance at home...

A tantrum because I did not watch 100%

Next year I will definitely make a more concerted effort to get us tickets for a ballet show.

Related posts:

A night at the ballet - Don Quixote

Taking a break and first ballet for the Toddler

The Sleeping Beauty - Ballet