Goodbye 2018 - Here's to new adventures in the 2019

So as we have welcomed in 2019, I thought this would be a good time to reflect on the year gone by.

As you have probably noticed, I started this blog with the intention of blogging about any journeys that Chloe and myself go on.  We got to Easter and I was doing so well.  However, I didn't factor in returning to my studies for my MA and that has since taken over my life.  Don't panic though, I haven't forgotten about the buses.  In fact, my dissertation is about buses in Northamptonshire between 1920 to 1950 (don't worry, I won't bore you with the details).

Anyway, we have been on a few journeys since the spring so I will recap on those for you.

Watching the animals at the Zoo

In May whilst in London for a family party, we went to Battersea Children's Zoo in Battersea Park.  It was a lovely little zoo with quite a few animals considering it's only small.  My only complaint with it is, considering most of the visitors are people with buggies and pushchairs, the paths are not very steady.  This didn't stop Chloe enjoying watching the animals.  We also use the carrier a lot when we're in London.  It's just often easier for Chloe who still doesn't really like forward facing in the buggy considering she's a nosey little so and so. 

Pick Your Own 

June was obviously strawberry picking time so Mark took the children to Harpole.  They both enjoyed it and obviously tried to eat them on the way round. 

Chloe at the Eden Project play area

In July we went to Cornwall and visited a few places that were very baby/toddler friendly.  The Eden Project is great for buggies and has little play areas around.  Also if you go when it's extremely hot like we did make sure you find the cool room in the the biodome.  That was worth the entrance fee itself.

Enjoying her Smart trike

We also visited the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth which again was great for little ones.  Because of how the main tank is situated in the venue there are plenty of opportunities for children to see the fishes all the way around. 

We also visited the beach a few times and in typical fashion we managed to visit on the only day when it rained after that hot summer we had.

 We also took along a new mode of transport for Chloe.  We bought this Smart Trike* for her first birthday and she loves it.  The one we bought folds down so that it's easy to transport about and fits in the car along with the buggy.  It can also has pedals that can be taken off until she's old enough to use it as a tricycle.

Chloe on her Christening Day

Birthday trip to the farm

As I've mentioned, before we went on holiday, Chloe turned one.  We didn't have a big birthday party for her because she was Christened the week before her birthday.  For her birthday we decided to take her to the farm (mainly because Mark wanted to get home for the football - It was the day of the Sweden v England World Cup game).  We went to Mini Meadows farm which is near Welford.  It's a lovely little farm with lots of opportunities for the children to feed the animals. 

Chloe in her birthday bus dress

August saw Chloe's first trip to A&E.  Obviously not a fun trip by all means.  As many mothers will know, once they get going, children are fast.  She was sitting on the sofa and managed to slip off and caught her head on the side of the radiator.  Mum guilt is definitely the worse feeling in the world.  She was fine after being glued back together and still has no fear of climbing on everything.


August also saw Mark take the children to London Zoo while I went to the National Archives.  She seems to like watching the animals and does know the names of lots of them (duck being her favourite!!)

 The rest of the year was quite quiet in terms of trips out (obviously lots of trips on the bus - I don't drive so unless I've turned into a hermit..... actually I pretty much have).  However, we did see a few Christmas displays at Centre MK, Weston Favell Shopping Centre and Bosworths Garden Centre. 

Over the next few weeks, I will blogging about our plans for the new year (once I've finished my dissertation - only a week to go!!!).  We're planning lots of trips and will be bring you guys with us to enjoy the fun. 

But for now

Happy New Year 

Keep smiling 

Kat & Chloe x 

N.B. Links with asterisks (*) are affiliated links.  Any other links are not.  Unless stated I have not be paid for any other links.