• Begrudgingly allowing Jesse into our bed before 6am.
• Desperately trying to persuade him to go back to sleep.
• Listening to him cough and splutter. The poor child has another cold.
• Creeping downstairs to find my sister was already awake and drinking tea in the kitchen.
• Popping the kettle on for everyone else.
• Making pancakes with Mr. LA while the children watched The Little Mermaid with Nicola and her chap, Andrew.
• Reminiscing about how terrified my sister was of the sea witch as a child.
• Jumping in the shower and getting dressed for the day.
• Coaxing the children into their clothes.
• Stepping out into the rain.
• Riding the bus into town.
• Slowly wandering around the German Christmas Market.
• Deciding it was a little too cold and wet to eat outside.
• Taking cover in Cabot Circus.
• Trying on a gorgeous red dress in House of Fraser.
• Realising I didn’t love it enough to spend £215.
• Sampling the burgers at recently opened Five Guys. We all enjoyed our meals, especially the fries!
• Trying on pretty shoes.
• Deciding to purchase said shoes.
• Having a complete mental block at the cash desk that left me unable to recall my PIN number.
• Putting the shoes on hold and hoping for an epiphany.
• Catching the bus to Clifton.
• Arriving to find the Downs bathed in the most spectacular golden light.
• Watching the children clamber around the adventure playground.
• Crossing Clifton Suspension Bridge.
• Making our way into the Village.
• Having a mooch around the shops.
• Falling in love with Papersmiths. I’ll be back for a proper browse without the children soon!
• Hopping on the bus and heading home.
• Checking my PIN number and dashing back to the city centre in my sister’s car.
• Parking precariously.
• Hurriedly making my purchase.
• Arriving home to find Mr. LA had almost finished making dinner.
• Parading about the house in my shiny new heels. So pretty, so sparkly. {FYI, they come in the most amazing shade of red too. Perfect for tottering about on Christmas morning.}
• Tucking into Mexican Lasagna.
• Sending the kids to bed.
• Sipping cocktails and having a giggle with our guests.
• Retreating upstairs.
• Falling asleep almost immediately.
• Waking up to find a snotty child dozing next to me.
• Thinking of my dad on what would have been his 60th birthday.
• Drinking countless cups of tea in an attempt to feel human again.
• Munching on toast for breakfast.
• Opting to stay in my PJs all day.
• Rifling through old photos with my sister.
• Making pie, smashed carrots and posh peas for lunch.
• Saying goodbye to our guests.
• Wishing Brighton wasn’t quite so far away.
• Sending Mr. LA on a chocolate biscuit run.
• Gradually putting the house back together.
• Staying home with Jesse while Izzy headed off to her drama class.
• Tidying the kitchen and sorting laundry.
• Ordering a few Christmas gifts online.
• Snuggling with Jesse on the sofa.
• Welcoming the others in from the cold.
• Making scrambled eggs and baked beans for the children’s supper.
• Lingering in the shower while Mr. LA put the kids to bed.
• Sitting down with a small glass of wine to write this post.
• Looking forward to eating the pizzas that are currently warming in the oven.

Love Audrey xxx