We’re all really enjoying the sunny weather at last, it seems to have been so long coming this year. On Saturday, we headed into Birmingham for a trip to the National Sea Life Centre, the first of our outings as 2016 blogger ambassadors for them. We had a fabulous time there and my sister met us for lunch at Wagamamas afterwards, it was lovely to see her too.

We had a slightly quieter day on Sunday, heading off for a swim. Libby is getting really excited that she will be starting her swimming lessons soon so she did some practice swimming without her swim fin. Lia did plenty of practice with her swim fin, she has gained so much confidence since getting the hang of it a couple of months ago.

Monday was a particularly fun day for us all. It started with a morning in the paddling pool for the girls. It was really sunny but not as warm as it looked, so the girls put on their new wetsuits that they had been sent by Konfidence – review coming soon! This was a really successful morning for me because it cost nothing to get the pool out and play in the garden, but they both said they preferred it to going out for the morning.

After a rather rushed lunch and numerous changes of clothes when each of them ended up back in the paddling pool with their clothes on, I headed off to Oxford. I met up with Donna from What the Redhead Said for a much needed spa break at Holiday Inn Oxford. The review will be on Donna’s blog over the next few days, but it’s safe to say we had an amazing time. When I arrived, this was on my bed. After admiring my room, fluffy robe, slippers and magazine I headed off to the spa for a massage, swim, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. This was followed by a three course dinner, plenty of gin, an amazing night’s sleep and quite literally the biggest breakfast I have ever eaten, ever. It was a breakfast buffet with a cooked breakfast, pancakes, fruit, pastries and toasted muffins. I had to try more than a little bit of everything. Afterwards we worked off breakfast with a trip to the gym and more swimming, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. It was a much needed break in a fabulous spa with great company.

Coming home on Tuesday brought me back down to earth with a bit of a bang, but I’ve had a quiet work week and I’m finally feeling like I’m starting to catch up on things. I worked late on Tuesday night, but it was worth a day feeling tired on Wednesday to finally feel today like things are falling back into place.

Our Thursday photo #106 was taken during the morning in the paddling pool. It’s far from a perfect posed photo, but I think it captures what a brilliant time they were both having. That morning has inspired me to spend a bit more time at home with the girls, having realised how much they love it and how easy it is to find something fun for them to do.

Thursday Photo #106