Lightwater valley April2021

 We were all excited for today since we couldn't go last year.

Got there slightly early so were near the front so not long to wait, they took away the zoo near the entrance in favour of a bigger and better play area and more rides in a Safari theme. They also raised the height restrictions so there wasnt many rides for the little ones, the big ones had lots to go on though. And they also included the tree top trampolines in the entrance fee rather it be a separate fee.

I conquered my fear of heights in the tree tops, mostly because Trixie wanted to play up there, she went down the rope slide with me 3 times. I barely saw Lili as she went off with which ever adult was going on a big rides.

Easter 2021

 The girls were well and truly spoilt, they woke up to a chocolate coin hunt, that led to the living room where they found their clothes and eggs/chocolates. The bunny had set out some toys and Easter themed ornaments and blew lots of balloons up for them. Darren videocalled to watch theit excitement since he couldn't be here. 

We went to my parents for dinner, we had lamb (leftovers made a curry the next day) there was clean plates all round. After we walked to Aunty Michelle's to kill some time.

Gift sets courtesy of Kylie Middleton at https://www.facebook.com/groups/739785443623233/?ref=share 

Goodbye 2020, bring on 2021🎊🥂

 We had a lovely quiet new year, food, drinks, decent TV and good company.

Darren and Matilda came to us new years eve, dropped their stuff round from the apartment ready to leave for home the next day, we done some shopping together and had fish and chips for dinner, the girls and I showered and put on pjs ready for the nights fun. Lots of drinks, lots of picky food, we took turns playing games, watched some films, played games whilst watching films and took alot of photos. Trixie kept getting hold of both mine and Matilda cameras. We tried to get Trixie to walk in the new year but I done it instead as she wouldn't come out, we watched fireworks from the window and then went and watched Londons fireworks on TV with a few more drinks before Darren and Matilda left for the night. They were back early the next morning after vacating the apartment and got a few hours on the sofa before we strolled down at around 1pm, I should have prepped the veg for new years day dinner the day before and regretted it, regretted more that I still didn't do it earlier in the day and had to do it right before cooking🤦‍♀️ but after eating it was definitely what was needed to pull me together. The girls played with matilda who seemed in rather high spirits despite the very obvious hangover she had. Darren and Matilda left not long after 9 for their coach to the airport and I started getting the house back to pre-Christmas order, decorations down and tree put away and the girls had a quick clean round of their toys.

Every year I make resolutions which I don't stick to as I can't be bothered or I forget about but this year after last year I'm being a bit more lenient about my resolutions, make a change of some degree to try to loose weight and see how the year goes to try and get a holiday away. Can't be too hard can it?

2020 review

Finally an end to a terrible year, so much has happened, so many emotions in massive quantities. There has been good things about the year though.

Although we were struck with a global pandemic which was shit, it allowed us to spend extra time together which was a mixture of emotion, it was nice to spend the time together but it was heart breaking seeing the girls routines ripped from them, no friends, no family, can't go far and mostly Darren missed easter and Lilis birthday. We missed some birthdays and had to do alot of online shopping which meant spending more money than usual especially in desperation to keep children entertained. We were meant to have a holiday away which didn't happen thankfully nothing was booked so no money lost. Lockdown was eased quite a bit in may/June. 

I broke my ankle, missed the last 10 weeks of summer sat in, I cried alot, I'd lost my independence, dignity and sanity.

Trixie started nursery😭 I'm lost without her, I can catch up on everything in peace and it seems wrong. And lockdown started getting tighter, things eased a little for Christmas and then locked right up again as soon as boxing day hit. Everyone's desperate for a better 2021 and only time will tell. 

Christmas 2020🎅🤶🎄🎁

 

We've all had a nice Christmas, Darren and his girlfriend Matilda were over for the better part of 2 weeks, they have a flat nearby which is lovely. They flew in on the Monday but got in late so we saw them the next day, Matilda and the girls played and coloured in, I made enchilada lasagne and went a touch mad with the spices 😬 late night regret on my part. 

Wednesday they came to us after going shopping, we ordered Chinese from Peking Garden which stood up to its raving reviews, before we ordered Darren was faffing around with Lili who kicked him and dislocated his top pinky finger joint as he tried to block it, I'm not the best person for bones and hid out in the kitchen and Darren and Matilda left after eating so they could think about possibly going to hospital.

Thursday, Christmas eve, Darren got his second tattoo and then went to hospital to have his finger relocated, the bruise is brutal! I ran around and got all the veg for the next day, prepped to make the evening easier and then went to nanas for do secret santa, I had nicki and I got her a gold handbag so she wouldn't keep pinching mine and nana had me, she got me twirl bars and grey fluffy slippers which are gorgeous. Met Darren and Matilda to help them bring stuff from theirs to mine so they could stay the night ready for Christmas, we finished watching matilda from the night before whilst eating fish and chips from captain K's then I got the girls showered and into Christmas Pjs and down to watch nightmare before Christmas, we didn't finish it as it got late so I helped get Santa's plate ready and the girls sprinkled out their reindeer dust and upto bed they went, Trixie with a bit of a fight. We watched some mandolarian before setting out the presents ready for morning and went to bed. 

Not sure who was most excited about Christmas, Darren coming and waking us up at half 10 or the girls who ran down too excitedly and needed to stopped at the door so we could all walk in together, the girls loved their toys, Trixie said lots of "aw wow I love it" and Lili had to set up her microphone stand for a good sing song. Dinner was amazing as always I'm a good cook if I have to toot my own horn. Dispite the fact I bought a new set of pans so I had enough pans to go round I still didn't have enough pans 🤷‍♀️. 

In the evening we all got dressed and went our separate way, Darren and Matilda to Darren's parents and the girls and I to my parents who had lots of presents waiting and then back home to chill out before bed. 

On boxing day we went to Darren and Matilda for dinner, we had picky tea and Lili stayed over for the night. The next day Trixie and I went back to Darrens and matildas for dinner and to get Lili. The day after Darren came to us for a few hours and allowed Matilda some time to catch up on school work before they had to go back. 

October half term fun 2020

First day of the half term we spent at Stewarts park, a good run around the park and play area, seen the chickens and tried to feed the ducks but we ended up just being chased around instead.