I've written a couple of these 'What I've Learnt About My Kids on Holiday' style posts before, publishing my first last year during our summer holiday in the South of France...
Since leaving London, almost 6 years ago, after eleven years in the capital, I've often questioned whether we were, my husband and I, 'tired of life' as John Samuel's famous saying goes, when we departed.
The last few weeks have felt like a bit of a dream if I'm honest. A gorgeous sunny adventure in one of my favourite parts of the world: the South of France with good as gold kids and my sweetheart of a husband. I've felt like a lucky, lucky lady after quite a busy year.
Firstly, big thanks to Eurostar for inviting us to the magical town of Avignon in the South of France- and to the Avignon Tourist Board for their advice and generosity too-merci beaucoup!
Despite the pretty crazy weather we've had this week with snow in April then glorious sunshine in May (what's going on Mama Nature?), summer is definitely the horizon which means holiday time baby!
As all you parents will know, it's rare to get 'couple time' when kids come along, and the last time Peter and I got a night away together was way back in June. A whole season ago then
I want to start by writing how incredibly grateful I am that this blog means wonderful travel opportunities for my family and I which allows us to see and experience parts of the world we've not visited before, both near and far.
It was my Dad, George's birthday on Friday so I wanted to arrange something a little bit special for the big man this weekend, and Gorgeous Cottages were just the company to call.
I've recently returned from a incredibly relaxing and restorative break at the Martinhal Beach Resort and Hotel in Sagres, Portugal, where I spent 5 lush days with my favourite lady, my Mum, Vasoulla.
When it comes to clothes, my boys are just like me and love their bold, colours and vivid designs.
Aged 5 and 2, my sons already know what they like when it comes to clothes, and St Bert's got my mini fashionistas' approval from first sight.
I honestly don't know where to start when writing about our Beaches Resorts' Ocho Rios family holiday because it's literally blown this little family's minds.
Tomorrow we will be heading off to London before we embark on a family press holiday to Jamaica with Beaches Resorts.
We'll be staying at the luxury Ocho Rios resort and can't wait to discover a country we've never been to before.
The last few weeks have seen my usually pretty healthy way of eating go to pot, with lots more sugar finding its way into my diet from celebratory cakes to afternoon teas and far too much champagne (with my recent 10th wedding anniversary, my brother's engagement and baby cousin's birth)- making me feel sluggish, tired and really not my best, physically and mentally. I've less energy than usual, haven't been sleeping well and my PMT is worse than ever.
So life gets busy, kids keep us up at night and the never ending juggle that is life and motherhood can really get on top of us all right. Well it's time to chill. Just ook at the sea above taken in Portugal last year (is it working yet?).
Tomorrow morning we'll be flying off to Portugal for two whole weeks in the sun and I can't wait. It will be 14 days of pure uninterrupted family time which means no work, social media or blogging for me so I can take a proper break.
