The year that was 2016

Just like that, the calendar on the wall has been replaced by a new one. Ready to be filled with appointments, school activities and everything else that the new year ahead of us will throw at us. As we waved goodbye to 2016 last night it was, as always, a bittersweet experience. Every passing year will always have its high and low points, after all, that is what life is all about. 2016 passed so quickly I’m not quite sure how to feel about it

Every passing year will always have its high and low points, after all, that is what life is all about. 2016 passed so quickly I’m not quite sure how to feel about it. In many ways so much has happened within the year, yet it still feels like a blur.

Moving home

The biggest thing to have happened this year is our relocation. Whilst Mr. Boo and I had thought about it for a number of years and never quite made the move. The addition of Piglet to our family meant that our small family home was no way big enough for the five of us. Having never rented a property before it was an eye-opening experience for the both of us. I never realised just how much paperwork, viewings, and disappointments were in store for us. It all worked out in the end and have ended up in the perfect house for our family.

Moving home also meant changing schools for the children, which was a big decision for us. Originally we had planned to keep them in their old school until the end of the school year in July, however, after a week of completing school runs back and forth, we knew that this was not going to be practical. Both Roo and Tigger took to the new school with ease and have made some lovely new friends. It’s such a change having the school a two-minute walk from our house instead of having to jump in the car. Whilst Roo misses our old life and school, I think she understands why we moved and the opportunities that this has given us as a family.

Redundancy

The long-awaited and much-anticipated decision of redundancy was finally made this year. Over a year in making, following consultations and delays. After 15 years working for the NHS I was officially made redundant, which whilst I was still on maternity hadn’t quite sunk in. The effects of it are still playing on my mind and whilst I’m happy to be at home with the children I do feel as though I have lost a part of my identity.

Family travels

After getting used to heading off on days out with the children before Piglet arrived, we decided that a new baby wasn’t going to stop us. This year we have been fortunate to enjoy so many family days out, from our beloved Thomas Land at Drayton Manor to trips to our local forest at High Lodge. We purchased Merlin Annual Passes in the sale and these have more than paid for themselves throughout the year, visiting sea life centres, London attractions, and Legoland.

We’ve also been fortunate to visit Butlins as a family this year. We’ve actually been three times with our first trip back in May which we used up some travel vouchers that Mr. Boo’s nanny had given us a couple of years ago but we never got round to using up. Since then we enjoyed a weekend at Minehead for the Butlins Science Weekend and finally a trip just before the children’s birthdays for a Butlins Just for Tots break. All three children had a blast whilst we were away and have already started to ask when we will be visiting again… Roo has her eye on a WWE tour weekend in the hopes that Seth Rollins will be there (a girl can hope).

Boo Roo and Tigger Too

The past year saw Boo Roo and Tigger Too celebrate its fifth anniversary. Whilst it passed unnoticed to everyone, to me it was a bittersweet moment. I started writing this blog as I prepared to return to work following maternity leave with Tigger. Just as I was celebrating my accomplishment of sticking with a hobby for five years I was made redundant and it felt strange knowing that I was no longer that working mum. I could no longer document my work/childcare struggles, the guilt of leaving your child when they are poorly or missing milestones.

My little corner of the internet has provided us with so many amazing opportunities that I would never have been able to give my children. From trips to see the BFI Trolls screening to the opening of the LEGO Store. I am, as ever, incredibly grateful to each and every one of you who read my ramblings. So thank you for sticking around for another year and for watching my family grow over the past year.

Happy New Year everyone, sending you best wishes and love to you all