Hello 2019!

A very belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I can't believe we are in to 2019 already and I am already hoping that this is going to be one of the best years yet for us. 

At the end of this month, this blog turns SIX years old. I am shocked that I've kept it going so long! In 2018, I didn't blog as much as I wanted to because it felt like too much of a chore - 64 posts in a whole year is awful. I was churning out sponsored posts and reviews which, don't get me wrong, I love because the children enjoy toy reviews and the sponsored posts help pay the bills, but my personal posts got pushed aside and I even stopped writing my What I Won posts altogether. I am planning on bringing those back this year and for anyone who is interested I won a total of 212 prizes worth £5,774 altogether in 2018.

The end of this month also sees mine and Chris's anniversary - we will have been together for nine years - and he turns the big 3-0 in February. Lots of cause for celebration.

I never make New's Years Resolutions because I can't really keep them to be honest but there are a couple of things that I'm eager to do this year. The main one is: learning to drive. I'll be 27 in March so really I should have done this ten years ago. Chris is the driver in our family and I hate having to rely on him or use public transport with two kids in tow. I just need my own freedom. I'm currently almost done with revising the theory and will probably be booking my theory test in the next month. I want to get that passed and out of the way before I start the practical side so I can just focus on that. 

Halfway through 2018 I rediscovered my love of reading. I used to read a lot as a child and teenager but found that I didn't have much time for it after having babies. Now that they are growing up, I'm making time to read and loving it. I'm signed up to Goodreads and have set myself a Reading Challenge of 80 books in 2019. Fingers crossed!
 
Lastly, the biggest thing for us this year is that we are hopefully going to be buying our first house. I will definitely be blogging about all of this and I'm really excited about not renting anymore and finally having our forever home.

Do you have any big plans for 2019 or have you made New Years Resolutions? Let me know!

About my Year: 2017

I don't usually do tag posts but Cassie from Lily's Little Learners tagged me in a questionnaire all about the past year. I thought it looked fun and a lovely way to look back on the past twelve months.

1. What did you do for your birthday this year? 
My birthday was on a Thursday this year and Chris had to work so it was a pretty regular day! I picked C up from preschool and went to my parents house where my mum and sister were (dad had work!) where I got presents and we ordered a pizza takeaway! Nothing too exciting but nice all the same.

2. Whats the biggest thing to happen to you this year? 

As awful as this sounds, I don't think anything huge has happened to me! My partner did learn to drive though so it's been great having a family car. Seeing him drive has made me eager to learn myself so hopefully by this time next year, I'll have my own licence. 

3. What was the biggest thing to happen for your child/children this year? 

C started big school! He is loving it but we do have some struggles. He's received his statement of special educational needs too. As for E, I've applied for her nursery place! 

4. Could you pick a favourite week of the year? 

Chris took a week off during the summer and we did as much as we could pack in. As we had a car, we were able to travel further afield and my favourite day of that week was when we visited the beach. We had to bribe C out of the water! 

5. Do you have a favourite photograph of yourself from 2017? 

This photo from back in March of myself and my two children. Although it was only taken nine months ago, both children look so little in it! I feel like they've grown so much. 

As for me, I'm lovely my, then new, glasses and my Panic! At The Disco 'Miss Jackson' lyric tee. 

6. What was your best day out? 

Aside from the beach day that I mentioned above; myself, Chris, C and E visited Cavehill with Chris's mum, his three brothers, sister and our niece. It was so lovely to have a day out with the entire family as we don't get to do it very often. 

7. What is the best film you have seen this year? 

It has to be the Beauty and the Beast remake! It was one of my favourite animations and Emma Watson was the perfect Belle. Is it weird that I have a crush on Luke Evans as Garston?! 

8. Is there anything you wish didn't happen this year? 

Nothing at all. Nothing bad happened at all in my life. Even if I did have a rough patch, I'd never want to change anything. I'm definitely a believer of "everything happens for a reason." 

9. What would you like to achieve or improve for 2018? 

My organisational skills. Every year, I buy a planner, use it for a week or so then never look at it again. Everything seems to snowball with deadlines and I worry I'm missing appointments so I definitely need some organisation in my life.

10. How will you be celebrating/did you celebrate New Years Eve?

I will have a glass of wine in hand and be eating baked camembert with crusty bread. 

Happy New Year!

Goodbye 2013!

2013 has been such a good year for me. I started writing this blog on 14th Jan 2013 as a way to look back on C's development. I cannot believe how far it has come and I can't fathom why people keep coming back for a read!

C was only 4 months old at the start of this year so 2013 saw lots of "firsts", sitting up, standing, walking, etc. and I'm so pleased that I have been able to document them here. 

We even had my 21st birthday, C's 1st birthday and the announcement that Chris's sister is expecting a baby in May so I will be an auntie!

I'm so grateful for my wonderful family and we really have had the perfect end to this year...<3

I can't wait to see what 2014 brings us. 

Happy New Year, everyone!