Goodbye 2023 hello 2024
As we get ready to say goodbye 2023 and hello 2024 I thought it would be a good idea to take a look back on this year.
I started this tradition with my goodbye 2018 and hello 2019 post and my goodbye 2019 and hello 2020 post I thought I’d do the same again.
Goodbye 2023 and hello 2024
And just like that 2023 is coming to an end.
We managed to spend time with family and friends and making memories which was one of my five intentions for 2023.
I decided to invest in myself more in 2023 and I booked a personal styling appointment at John Lewis and made time for self care.
In March we visited Steve’s family in Lincolnshire and enjoyed a day out at Skegness Aquarium and we also went to see them in August too and visited Hardy’s Animal Farm.
Elsie loved riding on the bus and sitting on the top deck!
In April we celebrated Steve’s 40th birthday we enjoyed a lovely meal with his parents and mine and my brother and we also went away just the three of us.
We enjoyed a cottage stay at Brockholes Farm and a visit to South Lakes Safari Zoo as part of Steve’s 40th celebrations.
To mark Steve’s big birthday I wrote him an open letter for his 40th birthday.
We had quite a packed June as we headed off to Northumberland for our family summer holiday.
This was our last summer holiday outside of the big price hikes of July and August for a long time!
While we stayed at a lovely cottage we enjoyed a day out to Lilidorei, Bamburgh and a ride on the train at Heatherslaw Light Railway.
To celebrate our wedding anniversary and Father’s Day which fell on the same day we had a lovely meal at the Church Mouse and then popped over to see my dad.
In July she turned four and she is growing and developing every single day.
We celebrated with her first proper birthday party at Believe and Be and she had a fantastic time with her friends.
Elsie started a brand new chapter when she left nursery in September and started primary school.
Her last day at nursery was very emotional and I will admit I cried saying goodbye to the wonderful team that have supported and helped to nurture her.
We both took the October half term week off as holiday and we had a jam packed week of fun.
- spooky science party at Sunderland winter garden and museum
- Pumpkin patch at Lintz Hall Farm
- Hancock museum with nanna and grandad
- Le Petite playhouse play date with her best friend from nursery.
To kick-start my birthday and festive celebrations we had a family day out to the Winter Light Trail at the Alnwick Garden which we all loved.
Steve and I did manage a couple of day dates but still haven’t had a night out together since before Elsie was born maybe 2024 will be the year!
We enjoyed lunch at the Lamp Room and brunch at Broom House Farm and some retail therapy!
Elsie was very excited and into Christmas this year – she did lots of crafts at school and her childminders house and was signing Christmas songs around the house.
Steve and I loved watching Elsie in her first play at school and the following day my parents watched her.
We enjoyed a festive day enjoying seeing Father Christmas at Beamish with my parents.
And Elsie loved riding Santa’s railway at Heatherslaw Light Railway despite the weather!
We had a really lovely Christmas, you can catch up with my Festive favourites from 2023.
We’ve enjoyed having some time off with Elsie over the festive period despite having to work a little bit inbetween.
So all in all 2023 has been pretty good, bring on 2024!
What am I looking forward to in 2023?
I hope to spend more time with family and friends next year, making more memories.
And I’m also hoping to enjoy more family trips out and exploring with Elsie during half-term and the summer holidays as well as weekends.
I managed to read 62 books in 2023 despite losing my reading mojo for a while post summer and I’m aiming for at least 60 again in 2024.
And I wish you all a happy and healthy 2024.
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