2016 – a year gone by all too soon. As I reflect on the year and visited posts I’ve written, some seem like it’s only been yesterday. Here’s my year spent with my family – (thought I would save you going through the archives!)
January
We trudged back to school but there were a few events that we enjoyed – the premiere of Disney’s The Lion Guard, a visit to the theatre to see Mr Popper’s Penguins, a lovely pub meal with the family, some poetry and a lot of play time with new toys
February
This had to be the best news ever. We were chosen to be LEGOLAND Windsor Resort Blogger Ambassadors. The kids were thrilled and so was I. We couldn’t wait to visit and embark on this exciting new relationship. We also had my sister and her family over from Italy and it was great to catch up with family and enjoy so much fun and laughter.
March
Our first trip to LEGOLAND as a Blogger Ambassador. We loved the whole experience as we rubbed shoulders with celebrities. We also celebrated Easter Monday at Pizza Express, lit the arch at Wembley Stadium, visited Shrek’s Adventure in London,
Jadyn wrote me a wonderful poem for Mother’s Day and I had a lot of presents from the kids.
Last but not least, we got the news about Jadyn’s secondary school. It was a tough choice but on hindsight, we made the right one.
April
We started off the month with a trip to Bali. It was a last minute thing and we had an amazing time. I’m wondering why I haven’t written about it here but wait it’s on here – on my travel blog. 🙂
We also visited one of the kids’ favourite places in the UK – Chessington World of Adventures for the launch of Pandamonium.
May
I received the news that I was nominated for Working Parent Blogger of the Year. How exciting!
We also experienced the Force at LEGOLAND for Star Wars Day, joined the Marvel Live actors for an afternoon of tea and enjoyed Alice through the Looking Glass.
I joined the Mumpreneurs Club bus tour where I blogged from a bus and won a prize.
June
You know how much we love NUTMEG -the clothing range from Morrisons so it was fun to be invited to check out their Autumn Winter range.
It was the first time Jadyn went abroad without me. It was her last year in primary and they headed off to Rome for 5 days. She had an amazing trip and I managed not to buy a ticket and get on the flight myself.
The children love Skylanders and we were thrilled to be invited to an exciting event – a sneak peek into Skylanders Imaginators. It was so cool and we could not wait to have a play.
July
It was a month of mixed feelings – joy and sorrow.
Joy – I got to do something I had been wanting to do for some time now – watch Mamma Mia -The Musical and it was everything I imagined and more.
Sorrow – my daughter was now officially out of primary school. Her leaver’s party was amazing – thanks to Captain Fantastic.
We also visited Paradise Wildlife Park and this was Ethan’s highlight of the year as he LOVES tigers.
I was a McDonald’s employee for a couple of hours – what fun!
And…I was also planning an amazing holiday in August.
August
I got to host an amazing party with HP at home – pampering, food and a HP printer that I simply can’t do without.
We had an enjoyable stay at the Knight’s Village at Warwick Castle.
The best bit however was when we flew out to the US for the summer. We visited LA and Charlotte and of course Disneyland California. We had a whale of a time.
September
Back to the real world. We got back from the US on the 4th of September and the kids were back to school on the 6th. Cutting it fine – yes I know.
Firsts for us –
Jadyn joined her new secondary school. It’s a good 6 miles from us and she takes public transport on her own on the way back. I was totally not nervous!
Ethan became a junior – Year 3
Aeryn started Year 1 – proper school. 🙂
October
Halloween – my goodness. Where did the year go? We had an absolutely amazing time when the Tesco delivery truck visited our home. We were spoiled rotten.
And we survived a month in Secondary School. It’s tough – I tell you! And primary school does not prepare you for it at all.
November
It’s almost Christmas, so there were a lot of toy reviews to get in. In between that I attended an enjoyable cooking class with Tefal.
I also had lunch with my bestie as Pizza Express and celebrated Ethan’s Birthday too – 8 years old.
December
One whole year. It seems only yesterday that we started.
Again a busy month in terms of toy reviews and days out. We went on a walking tour of London and the kids were amazing – they actually walked without complaining. We went ice skating – well sort of.
I also switched off for 2 days. Digital detox.
And we have an amazing trip out on the 31st. I’ll give you a clue – Hogwarts. The children don’t know yet. It’s going to be a surprise.
It sounds like you have had a wonderful year!
Wishing you all the best for 2017 x
Thank you and same to you.
Wow you have been a busy lady, wow so much done in the space of a year.