The End of Our 2015 Bucket List

Back in January we created a Bucket List of things we would like to do and achieve as the year went by. It’s now coming to the end of the year and it’s nice to see so many things ticked off. Here’s how our Bucket List looks at the end of the year:

I actually read a few books this year although that tailed off over the last few months. I read Gone Girl, Girl on the Train and The Husband’s Secret – all of which were fantastic books.

We went to London the weekend before Christmas and actually ticked off a few things whilst we were there. We played tourists and visited the Queen by going to see Buckingham Palace. It was a lovely weekend. Around that time we saw not one, or even two but three different Santas! That was never the plan – we’d intended to book Santa at Harrods and then we were invited to see Santa at Wyevale Garden Centre and Squires Garden Centre. I knew the kids would love it – and they did! Continuing the theme we got a new Christmas Tree Train this year as a last minute review from the lovely people at Hornby. It will have pride of place around the tree for years to come.

Dave and I went on a date this year to a hotel in the Cotswolds. It was a lovely break away and something we both enjoyed. We’d love to have a weekend away every year.

We had afternoon tea at Waddesdon Manor for my Birthday and it was fantastic. Definitely something we would love to do again – and somewhere we’d love to visit again too. We also celebrated my Birthday with a night out with friends and I may have tried a new cocktail – or four! Anyone following my Instagram at the start of October may have thought I’d turned into a binge drinker…. It doesn’t happen often!

We had a family weekend on board the Anthem of the Seas back in April and as the ship went into international waters I classed that as our trip abroad for the year – we’ll be going abroad properly next summer!

We also didn’t get to swim in the sea but we did all have a paddle in Wales – do people even swim in the sea in the UK!? We also made sandcastle whilst we were there. Our trip to Wales as well as a trip up to Cumbria were our UK holidays of the year and we’re already planning to see more of the UK next year too. Our time in Cumbria also saw us have a weekend with our lovely friends from Mental Parentals – who we can’t wait to see again in a couple of months!

Since starting school LP has learnt so much more than just her full name that I had on this list. She is learning more and more each day and I am so incredibly proud of her.

We attempted briefly to potty train Little Man a few months ago and gave up, realising he wasn’t ready. We’ll be trying again in the spring as he has come so far in that department in just a few short months.

Little Man not only got a big boy bed but a big boy bedroom when we had our chimney breast removed and a whole heap of decorating done. We also got a new bathroom which wasn’t in the plan for this year at all but it may well be one of the highlights of the year for me. We did pay off our car loan but then we had to take out a new loan for the building work but hey ho – that is life! There’s always something to pay for.

I still haven’t baked a proper Birthday Cake but I did bake cupcakes for both Little Man and LP’s Birthdays. I had a failed attempt at hot cross buns and didn’t even attempt it again so can’t really tick that one off but I did make a different jam this year – rhubarb jam! I’ve just realised though that I didn’t write about this – I will do soon!

We went to a pick your own farm with the lovely Hayley from Shutterflies who took some gorgeous photos of us whilst we were there – and we picked a heap of strawberries too! I love a good pick your own farm and I think we will have to go at least once a year in future.

The children love castles, there’s something so magical about them when you’re a child and Dave and I love old buildings so we squeezed in a drizzly but lovely visit to Hever Castle too.

We saw fireworks at Legoland again this year and it never fails to disappoint. We also saw fireworks whilst we were at Butlins but they were pretty much in the same vein as Butlins – a bit disappointing.

Wow. What a year! We ticked off so much and a few things will be passed across to next year but one thing’s for sure – 2015 was a really great year for us as a family. LP started school, we did a lot to the house, achieved a lot as a family and made so many memories. 2016 has a lot to live up to!