Well, where on earth did that 6 months go? I seriously cannot believe half the year is now over. I don’t want the years to fly by too quickly, we are having too much fun! I thought I would do a quick mid year review of 2017 so far, giving some thought to how we will spend the rest of 2017.
Our Travels
We’ve done most, if not all of our international travel already. We came back from Serbia on Monday and we thoroughly enjoyed Croatia just 2 weeks before that. I will get round to writing posts about our trips very soon. Needlesstosay they were both involving synchro! There is the possibility of another international comp towards the end of the year but we are not sure if this will come off.
There has also been a LOT of travels up and down the country – The trips down south to training, calm down a bit now over the summer. Our Mini is sighing a huge sigh of relief!
We are due to get the caravan out in the next couple of weeks for lots of trips to the Lake District and who knows where else. This will be our first year in 9 years that we haven’t visited Biarritz. I think we will really miss it during August but for now we are glad of the rest!
The Blogs
I will admit, both blogs have been quieter than I would like so far this year. I have a huge backlog of posts that I am desperate to share. To try to catch up, I’m attempting to post every day during July – either here at 2 Adults 3 Children, over at Casa Costello or a video on my YouTube channel. Lets see how it goes!
There are tons of recipes and cake photos to share as well as reviews and travel posts. And that’s not even mentioning the Reading Roundups!
Books
Which leads me nicely onto books. This area is going really well. I’m racing through so many good books this year and enjoying reviewing them. My TBR pile is getting slightly out of hand & I’m thinking I might have to get round to buying that extra set of shelves very soon. I’m on my 3rd Sharon Bolton of the year, this one is a bit slower (Dead Woman Walking) but I’ve a feeling it will pick up soon.
Tara is simply a whizz at reading – I have no idea what they do in her school to get them to such a high level, but its obviously working! Violet has done so well too this year – We had an impromptu trip to the library last week when she spotted a couple of books that she was desperate to read. This is huge progress when, just a couple of years ago, it would have been a struggle to even get her to agree to a trip to the library. David Baddiel is her current favourite, closely followed by David Williams. An author doesn’t have to called David to appeal to Violet but it does help!
Pets
We have always been very clear that we would get another kitten after the loss of our precious Darren. The timing just hasn’t been right until now though, with our trips to Croatia and Serbia. The hunt is definitely on for a kitten to come to its forever home now though – especially after my sister just last week adopted 4 adorable little kittens!
Schools
We are nearing the end of primary for Violet – heading headlong into a month of parties, masses and end of school plays. Trying to be brave about it (Me, not Violet – she can’t wait!) and focus on the exciting times ahead. Our journey to high school wasn’t completely simple – again, I’ll blog about this over the next couple of weeks.
Millie is almost at the end of her first year in her ‘new’ school. She’s loved every minute of it. So many new friends and wonderful experiences. She came back from a 3 day expedition for her Silver Duke of Edinburgh award earlier today and is frankly buzzing with all the hilarious tales to tell.
House
Well, I’m still no further on with re doing our bedroom. The paint has been bought to chalk the furniture but so many synchro training sessions a week mean that decorating sadly seems to take forever around here. Millie and Violet have now both added to the list by requesting makeovers for their rooms too. They definitely need more glamour and an older feel to their rooms which I will be hopefully sharing with you by the end of the year.
We’ve been toying with the idea of moving house – We do so much traveling to Millie’s school but it didn’t seem worth it for just another year. Add a change of plan to where Violet will be going to high school though, and suddenly it seems quite sensible. We are keeping our options open for now but who knows, if the perfect house came along, we may be on the move. The idea of a bit of a project appeals to me – I have more time during the day now but the sensible one of us (Dermot) keeps my plans under control!
Synchro
I couldn’t do a review of the year so far without giving a nod to synchro. It takes up so much of our time and brain and that’s even without me & Dermot getting wet! Millie has loved her first year of being on Team GB – a great achievement for a 14 year old. Her highlights so far have been coming first in technical figures in Croatia & silver and bronze medals at British Champs. Lots more work to do for the rest of the year which will be no easy task during her GCSE year. (Many thanks to our friend, Jon for the pic)
So that’s it for now – How has the first half of the year gone for you? Hope its been good so far. Any surprises? ย Don’t forget to pop back during July to see regular updates.
Exhausted just reading this Helen! As always I am amazed / impressed / humbled by how much you fit into your life. I assume you somehow have more hours in your days than us mear mortals!
This year has came in very fast and I was just saying to my wife the very same! I hope you enjoy your visits to the Lake District and that the caravanning is equally fun ๐
I loved this – it’s so great to look back on the first half of the year and take stock. Like you, my to be read pile is ever growing! Well done to your daughters on their achievements too!
Well done Millie, what an amazing achievement! My daughter also loves David Williams, great choice in author x
Your trips to Serbia and Croatia sound interesting – they’re two countries I haven’t been to yet. Ooooh, and I so hope you get a new kitten
What a busy year, also how did I not know you had this blog and a youtube channel. I was thinking why has she changed the name of her blog?? (not that this name isn’t great!) I’ve subbed to your channel and will have a watch over the coming days.
You’ve fitted in so much already and well done Mille you must be so proud. I’m looking forward to the new kitten. When our cat passed I wanted to get a new kitten but it’s been vetoed and we’re still petless. I’m living vicariously via other people’s pets!
I agree this year is going quick! It’s nice that you’ve been travelling around the Country though! Have fun at the Lake District ๐
I hope Violet enjoys her new big school! It’s daunting leaving primary but it’s also exciting!
Cant believe how fast this year is going, sounds like you’ve all had a busy year so far!
Sounds like great holidays to Serbia and Croatia, I need to go on holiday at some point
Wow it sounds like you’ve had a busy first half of the year! Good luck with getting everything done in the next six months x
Oh Helen I just don’t know how you do it! It all sounds so… busy! I can’t wait to see your kitten once you find ‘the one’ and I’m very jealous of all the reading you’ve squeezed in ๐
I can’t believe it’s already July! August is around the corner!! I hope you enjoy visiting the lake district! ๐