This past week is always one of the busiest and craziest of the year, with not one but two birthdays in the same week. I celebrated turning 45 on Tuesday, and Katie officially became a teenager on Friday. It has been a whirlwind of a week full of birthdays and celebrating, and of course filled with cake and laughter. Who said the middle of January was boring. Here is a little look back at the past week.
Spa day at Ribby Hall
On Tuesday, Hywel and I headed for a spa day at Ribby Hall hotel just outside Blackpool. I had stayed the night at the hotel in July last year with 2 of my best friends, but Hywel had never been. We had booked the Thermal Experience Journey which gave us a few hours in the spa, and afterwards we went to The Orangery for our 2 course lunch. It was the perfect place to chill out, and being outside in the hot tub on a cold January day was perfect.
Katie turning 13
My beautiful little lady turned 13 on Friday, and I can’t believe I now have 2 teenagers to parent (more gin needed please). After her day in school, we celebrated with a lovely meal at our local Zizzi restaurant, and would you believe it’s a place we have never dined at. The day after her birthday was the obligatory ‘birthday sleepover’ where Hywel and I were banished to our bedroom, whilst we listened to four 12 and 13 year olds partying downstairs.
Catching up with friends
I have caught up with so many friends this past week, and enjoyed dinner out, lunch dates, and coffee meet ups. Is there anything better for the soul than chatting away with friends, putting the world to rights. Thank you for celebrating with me turning 45 (oh goodness that sounds old lol).
Embracing change and upgrading my phone
Ok I admit it, I am hopeless when it comes to change. My mobile phone contract was up in October, but rather than embrace change, I carried on using my perfectly working iPhone SE. Except I needed a better phone camera as I take the majority of my blog pictures on my iPhone. So I embraced change and upgraded to the iPhone 8 which I love.
Watching You on Netflix
Everybody seems to be watching You on Netflix at the moment, so we thought we would see what it’s all about. Hywel thought I was subjecting him to some slushy romantic series, but how wrong was he. I won’t give any spoilers but honestly, it’s well worth a watch.
The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty
Liane Moriarty is best know for writing Big Little Lies, which was turned into a hit show featuring Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman. I picked up two of her other books in a charity shop a few months ago, and have just finished The Husband’s Secret. I loved this book, and plan on reading Truly Madly Guilty next, another of Liane Moriarty’s books.
So that’s the end of our crazy week full of celebrations. It has been a fantastic week, and certainly makes the middle of January so much brighter.
So many celebrations in one week. And gosh your daughter looks so grown up with make up on. They grow up so fast don’t they. I have never been to Ribby Hall but seen it always thought it looks nice. Have a great week
She has grown up so much over the past 6 months, and she really loves experimenting with make up. I think she owns more make up than I have ever owned ! x
Fab birthday celebrations at your house, well done on surviving the sleepover. How is the phone, bet it’s fab! I have a 5s so I’m way behind.
I went from an iPhone SE to an 8 and I love it. Though I keep moaning about the home button as it is slightly different lol. The sleepover sounded like lots of fun and thank goodness they only happen once a year x
So glad you and Katie had great birthdays, I have never been to Ribby Hall it sounds like the spa is fab. And yes 2 teens means more gin ha ha. Have a great week Tracey and 45 is not old at all xxx
Ribby Hall is a great spa and I would have loved to take pictures inside but they have a no phone policy. Definitely a place to go and chill out for the day and the food is amazing x
Your week sounds amazing, Ribby Hall is top of my list of local places I would love to stay it looks lovely. I’m glad to hear you survived the sleepover, I dread the day my two have them. I hope the rest of the year is just as good as January for you x
I am just glad that the birthday sleepover is all done for another year, and I must admit they get easier as they get older as they don’t want you around lol. Can highly recommend Ribby Hall for a chilled out night away or spa day x
I love that you’ve had such a fab January! I’m pleased you’re enjoying your new phone and Happy Birthday again xx
Aw thank you lovely. It was such a fantastic week and certainly brightened up January for us x
Aww so many wonderful birthday celebrations. Happy birthday to your daughter and to you. The food looks amazing and glad you love your new phone xx
Aw thank you Susan. I bet you have had a very similar week with your sons and daughter birthday being a day apart x
I hope your daughter had a lovely birthday! I loved YOU, it was so good. I was sad when we finished the series. Can’t wait for the next one!
I know what you mean, I hate it when we finish a series as we can never find one that lives up to the previous one we have just watched !! Thank you, she had a lovely birthday and I can’t believe my little girl is now a teenager x
Ah what a lovely picture of your daughter – I hope she had a great birthday. We have watched You and loved it!!! My Sister was talking about going to Ribby Hall next year over Christmas – sounds like you had a great time!
Ribby Hall would be lovely over Christmas, and if she goes I hope she gets the chance to sneak off to the spa. Thank you, she had a brilliant birthday x
So pleased you both had such a good birthday week. It certainly is a good way to brighten up January!
I haven’t read any Liane Moriarty (or seen the TV show, we don’t have Netflix!), I will have to give one a go.
They are really good books and I am pretty sure you would like them. January has been so much fun, and I always hate saying goodbye to the first month of the year x