A year in review 2014

This year has flown by so quickly that it’s hard to remember all the little things that have happened.  I thought I’d make an effort to sit down and reflect on the last 12 months.

First memory:  Waking up on News Year Day to sunshine, no hangover and having my mum and dad with us.

Biggest regret: Don’t hate me for saying this, but getting those damn rabbits was not a good decision. I fell for the puppy dog eyes and the pleading from the kids hook, line and sinker on this one.  They are very cute little things but have turned out to be the biggest pain in the backside ever!!  They’re almost impossible to catch and cuddle and no matter how big a fence we create around their cage, they are ALWAYS escaping, and creating havoc around the neighbourhood. Funniest thing:  Watching parents get ‘heated’ on the side of the football pitch every weekend.  It’s hilarious and so intense.  I dread to think what it will be like as they get older.

Favourite photo: Proudest moment:  There are just so many I’m going to have to list a few.

• Watching my big girl head off on her first day of school – and she can READ now too!
• Watching ALL Master J’s sporting achievements.  He has done so well this year in rugby, swimming and athletics and my heart bursts with pride at every event.  I love how determined and passionate he has become.
• I’m proud of Mr D for taking the plunge and resigning from his job after 11 years, to start bigger and better things.
• I’m proud of how I’ve managed to keep our household running smoothly (most of the time) with three kids and a hundred different activities on the go.
• I’m proud of how my baby is blossoming into the the loveliest and funniest little girl.
• I’m proud of my blog.  I’ve put a lot of heart into it this year and enjoyed every minute.
• I’m so proud of Miss H for conquering her fear of the water.  This time last year she wouldn’t even put her big toe into the pool and now she is swimming unaided.
• Seeing how brave my little Miss L was when she went into hospital to have her tonsils removed. Her speedy recovery amazed me too.  

Best purchase:  Definitely our 7 seater car.  I don’t know how I coped with three kids without it.   Favourite outfit:  I pretty much live in comfy harem pants and singlets these days.  No decent photo of me I’m afraid,  I’m clearly happier behind the lens.  I have loved seeing everyone else’s ‘everyday style’ photos going up on the web throughout the year but I still feel like such a prized twit taking selfies that I just can’t bring myself to do it.  Maybe next year?? My favourite shops this year are Seed, Bohemian Traders and the Palm Beach markets.

Best month:  April.  For all sorts of reasons.  Firstly, it’s Easter and who doesn’t love Easter? The weather in April is the best in whole year, I think.  It’s still beautifully warm without being too hot and the ocean is the perfect temperature for swimming.  We also went camping in the school holidays this April, and it was the best fun I’ve had in a long time.  The Easter Bunny even found our tent. Biggest achievement:  My biggest achievement this year has been the growth of visitors to my blog and the start of some monetisation.  I really feel proud of what I have done with it and I can’t wait to keep going next year.  Watch this space…….and THANK YOU SO MUCH for reading.

Favourite Movie/TV series:  The only non-kids movie I’ve watched at the cinema this year was ‘Gone Girl’ and that was brilliant, if a little twisted.  As for my favourite TV series, it has to be ‘Dance Moms’!  Don’t judge me but I can’t get enough of the Abbey Lee Dance company, it’s addictive!!

Most memorable News headline:  Without a doubt when I heard that Malaysian Airways flight MH17 was shot out of the sky over the Ukraine in July.  Such a truly awful tragedy and I feel for every one of those families involved, especially the children.  It still makes me shudder when I think about it now.

What made you belly laugh:  The video Mr D made for me when I got back from my trip to the Gold Coast for the Pro Blogger conference in September. Biggest decision:  Mmmmmm, probably moving my blog from Blogger to WordPress earlier this year. Looking back now I don’t know why I panicked about it so much as it’s turned out to be the best thing ever.  For anyone thinking of doing it, I can happily tell you that WordPress is not as scary as you may think.

A lesson learnt:  The most important thing I’ve learnt this year is to plan my week.  I started writing out daily and weekly to-do lists about half way through the year and it has made a miraculous difference to my productivity.  I also don’t forget nearly as much as I used to.

What made you cry:  Seriously, I’m such a softy that pretty much anything makes me cry. Most recently though, I couldn’t help the tears listening to the funeral speeches of cricketer Phil Hughes. So so sad.  There might also have been a few tears watching the kids in their end of year school Christmas concerts this week.

Most random thing you did:  Well that would have to be when I drove to the middle of nowhere to rescue two little kittens without telling Mr D.   Well that’s a quick version of my year in review.  How has your year been??  I would love to hear about it.  Tell me your best bits, or if you’d like, copy and paste the prompts below and write your own blog post.

First memory:

Biggest regret:

Funniest thing:

Favourite photo:

Proudest moment:

Best purchase:

Favourite outfit:

Best month:

Biggest achievement: 

Favourite Movie/TV series:

Most memorable News headline:

What made you belly laugh:

Biggest decision:

A lesson learnt: 

What made you cry: 

Most random thing you did:

Don’t forget to tag me if you join in because I’d love to read them.