Happy New Year, and happy new decade!
I love to start off every new year with a round up of the previous year, so of course the year 2020 is no different.
January
We started the year with a very exciting celebration as Lilah turned one! We of course did our tradition of a cake smash for her 1st birthday, and spent her actual birthday opening presents and feeding the animals at a little farm.
I didn't even remember writing this post with my goals for the year. I achieved a couple of them - taking Lilah to a toddler group, completing the Me and Mine and Siblings projects, and I definitely saved as much as I could. But I think the fact I forgot about it speaks volumes... I won't be setting any goals this year for sure!
February
We worked with Gousto a couple of times in 2019. The boxes definitely sparked something in me and Jack and we've cooked *mostly* from scratch ever since. Probably not anything big for most, but we were definitely stuck in a rut of jars and convenience, so it made a huge different for us.
Valentine's Day of course falls in February, and Jack and I had a weekend away to Reading in 2019. It was mostly baby free, Lilah came with us for the trip and was actually really well behaved.
March
March was a relatively quiet one. I worked with one of my favourite brands Jo Jo Maman Bebe, had a super chilled Mother's Day, and we joined in with our very first World Book Day. Indie was
Kittie Lacy the Fairytale Hairdresser which was so simple to do but Indie absolutely loved it. Not sure how I'm going to be able to create two exciting costumes this year!
April
The very beginning of month we celebrated Jack's birthday - a game of bowling that will always be remembered for Lilah crying throughout.
Over the Easter holidays we went on a big family holiday to Somerset. Haven holidays are some of my favourite memories of my childhood so it was amazing to take my little family along with both of my sisters and their families. It was chaos at times, but definitely a holiday that we will remember for years to come.
We actually had amazing weather over the Easter weekend, so we had an egg hunt in the garden, headed to the beach (where the tide promptly came in and ruined our sandcastle plans), and hosted a family bbq complete with paddling pool. Perfect!
May
Of course one the most exciting parts of the year was bringing home
our kitten Belle. I remember Jack bringing her home and surprising the littles, and all of us falling in love with her instantly. She's settled into our family so well and grown a whole lot since May.
We went down the woods to hunt down the bluebells for our annual Siblings photos in May too. Always a highlight of the year!
June
I'm not sure I've mentioned it on here? But in June we of course spent the most amazing 5 days in
Disneyland Paris! Rides, food, fireworks, and all the Disney characters. Of course it was exhausting, but I already want to go back.
I started my weight loss journey with Slimming World in June too. I'm not sure what gave me the push, but I'm so glad I did it. I've lost over 2 stone so far and already feel so much more confident and happy within myself. I've still got a little bit further to go, but I'm excited with how far I've come so far.
We were also lucky enough to a fab
weekend away at Alton Towers as part of our work with Konfidence this month too. All 5 of us absolutely loved splashing about in the water park, and the weather was absolutely amazing during our time in the theme park too. A special whirlwind trip for sure.
July
Indie completed her first year at school and Parker finished Preschool forever in July. It felt like the end of an era when Parker left preschool, as he's known everyone there since he was 1. Lilah will be starting there by the end of the year though which is actually a little crazier to think about!
With the summer holidays upon us, we of course created our
Summer bucket list. I love these as it gives the littles and I things to look forward to over the 6 weeks (especially as I usually cheat and just add things on there that we already have planned). We only missed one thing this year which I think is pretty good going.
We (mostly) enjoyed the heatwave during the end of the month too. We made the most of the garden (there's nothing like relaxing in the sun on a
hammock right?) and ate all the ice creams, but as always, it was a little bit too hot wasn't it?
August
We celebrated Parker's 4th Birthday with a trip to
Chessington and a party at a trampoline park with his friends. I turned 26 and celebrated with a weekend away and a trip to
Colchester Zoo - someone we NEED to visit again in 2020.
We had so many amazing days out over the summer holidays, including
The Transport Museum, outdoor cinema, Kent Life for ice creams, strawberry picking, the maize maze, National Trust properties, and all of the parks. Indiana completed the reading challenge, and we enjoyed many lazy pjs days at home.
August was also a very difficult month for our family, as my beautiful nan passed away in August. The last few weeks of the month were a bit of a blur, but actually rather wonderful as our whole family rallied together to support each other. She's now twinkling in the stars watching over us, and both Indie and Parker love pointing to the brightest star and saying it's great nanny saying hello.
September
September was a very exciting month as Indiana started in year 1, and
Parker started school! With him only just turning 4 a few weeks earlier it was such a different experience to when Indie started the year before. But he has settled in so well, has a lovely group of friends and is really into learning already.
With both of the big two at school full time, it's just been me and Lilah for most of the week since September. It's so lovely getting quality time just the two of us, and I've finally started taking her to a toddler group too.
October
Of course October marked the true start of Autumn so of course we enjoyed allll of the delights - crunchy leaves, cosy days at home (it rained A LOT), and lots of puddle jumping. Jack was off over half term too, so we had a super busy but amazing week. We went our annual trip to the Pumpkin Patch, enjoyed Halloween at Kent Life and Godstone Farm, and of course went trick or treating - Lilah's very first time!
November
We celebrated Bonfire Night by doing our very first sparklers at home - who knows, maybe next year we'll do our own display!
Indiana turned 6 at the end of the month, which was actually timed perfectly with the release of Frozen 2. I took her and a few friends to see the film, and then we had lunch and cake out after. It made me realise just how grown up she's getting, especially seeing her giggling with her girl friends.
We also kicked off the Christmas festivities by visiting the Bedgebury Christmas Light Trail again. Such a magical evening, and although I didn't think it was as good as last year, we all still absolutely loved it.
December
We had all the festive fun in December that comes with having school aged children. Putting up the tree and picking new decorations, watching Indie and Parker's school nativity, writing and posting our letters to Father Christmas (and seeing the big man himself), and of course eating all of the yummy food!
This was then followed by the best Christmas ever. All three of the littles were really into everything this year and it made everything just that much more magical. I'm not sure how long we can keep them all believing, but I hope it's for many more years to come.
And this year we ended with a National Trust walk at our favourite place Knole Park. We then came home for yummy food, let the big two stay up to watch a movie (and last years fireworks on the tv), and saw in the new year on the sofa with snacks. It was low key but lovely.
It was a mostly wonderful year, packed full of so many wonderful memories and milestones. We lost someone incredibly special, but I think that has just spurred me on to try and enjoy every single moment. Time passes far too quickly, and my little family is growing and changing every single day! I'm not sure what 2020 has in store for us yet, but I know it will be an adventure - one I look forward to sharing just like this next year!