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The Top 7 Tag

Happy New Year!

I’m slowly easing myself back into the world of blogging; it’s been so and to be able to fully switch off and enjoy time with my family over the Christmas break. The boys and I aren’t back to work/school until next week, so we’ve had lazy mornings at home. They have loved just mooching around in their PJs playing with their toys.

How has your Christmas break been?

I’ve been tagged by my very lovely friend Tracey from One Frazzled Mum in the Top 7 tag which seems to have really taken off as I’ve seen a fair few other bloggers join in. The Top 7 tag covers the following and is a great way to look back at 2018 and to look forward to the year ahead too.

  • Your Favourite 7 Posts from 2018. They can be any posts at all that you are proud of.
  • 7 Things You Loved The Most About 2018. Whether you visited somewhere, or just had one of those moments you will never forget, if you loved it, list it!
  • 7 Things You Are Looking Forward to in 2019. Whether those plans are set in stone or you something you would like to do this year, share with us.
  • Tag 7 Bloggers to Take Part. Share the love and tag 7 others who would like to take part.
  • Say Thanks. Link back to the person who tagged you and/or myself, so people know where to find the tag to join in too.

My top 7 posts of 2018

7 things I loved in 2018

My first night away from the boys
It might be hard to believe, but up until last year, I’d not ever spent a night away from the boys. My friends from school and I had organised a spa weekend at a hotel to celebrate us all turning 40. We had good food and wine and most importantly a night off from the kids! Bliss.

My 40th Birthday
It might be daunting celebrating a big birthday but, I was utterly spoilt with flowers and gifts and had the most wonderful weekend with Mr H and the boys. We spent the day at Madame Tussauds, lunched at the Rainforest Cafe and went on the London Eye – it was the perfect way to celebrate.

london-eye-family

birthday-london-eye

The boys learning to ride their bikes
I’m so proud how quickly they nailed this. I had visions of backbreaking work running along holding onto them, but thankfully that wasn’t the case. We literally decided to remove their stabilisers one weekend, and within minutes they were both riding away!

brooklands-bike-riding

Our days out

We’ve had some fantastic days out this year, many theme park based ones, farms and just generally exploring outdoors. One weekend to remember was most certainly Tankfest. I do hope that these will be the memories the boys will remember when they look back on their childhood. We’ll no doubt be adding many more to the memory bank this year.

alton-towers-duel

boys-tankfest

legoland-dragon

diggerland-dumper-truck

boys-hampton-court-gardens

boys-bouncing-pillows-hobbledown
dinton-pastures-country-park

Our holiday to Spain

We had a wonderful week in Spain with friends; we had lots of beach and pool time – just what the doctor ordered.

m-oliva-beach

family-benidorm

UK Heatwave

The heatwave was glorious, and while it may not have been popular for most, we really enjoyed and made the most of it.

dipping-toes-in-sea-brighton
boys-legoland

Learning to become a Bio Sculpture Nail Technician

I’ve not spoken about this much on the blog, but I embarked on a Bio Sculpture training course back in June. I have loved learning this new skill and will be blogging about my training experience very soon so do keep an eye out for it.

biosculpture-nail-colours

7 things I am looking forward to in 2019

  • To start our home renovations – it feels like I’ve been talking about this since forever but I am really hoping this is the year they turn into a reality! I am in desperate NEED of a new kitchen!
  • I’ve asked for a Photography Course as part of my Christmas present, so I am looking forward to taking my camera off auto and learning how to use it on manual properly.
  • Celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary in April – although I can’t believe its come around so quickly! Mr H and I will have been married for a whole decade!!
  • Doing more travelling and seeing new places – we have no firm plans to go anywhere in particular yet but we have just started talking about the possibility of going to Japan which is very exciting!
  • Now that I am fully qualified, I am hoping to grow my Bio Sculpture Nails business this year and fit this in around work and the blog. I already have a few clients but would like to gain a few more regulars.
  • I’ve had some amazing opportunities through the blog in 2018, so I am looking forward to seeing what 2019 may bring.
  • Getting fit and joining the gym

I tag the following 7 bloggers to take part

  1. Louise from Birds and Lilies
  2. Rachel from Coffee, Cake, Kids
  3. Stacey from Stacey in the Sticks
  4. Zara from Mojo Blogs
  5. Trudy from Rendezvous En New York
  6. Nadia from Scandi Mummy
  7. Claire from The Pram Shed

Related posts:

Ice Skating and Matching PJs – Living Arrows 47/52Ice Skating and Matching PJs – Living Arrows 47/52 Almost camping – Living Arrows 27/52Almost camping – Living Arrows 27/52 Theatre and Christmas PJs – Living Arrows 50/52Theatre and Christmas PJs – Living Arrows 50/52 O’ Christmas Tree – Living Arrows 49/52O’ Christmas Tree – Living Arrows 49/52

About The Author

Picture of Maria
Hello and welcome to Suburban Mum! I'm Maria and I'm mum to two boys - E who's 14 and M who's 11. This blog is about my family, the ups and downs of being a working mum and everything in between. If you want to find out more about me and my family head over to our About us page.

36 thoughts on “The Top 7 Tag”

  3. Sarah | Mummykind

    Ooh this is a great idea for a blog post! I love it 🙂 well done in 2018 and good luck for everything 2019 holds

    Reply
  6. Jen Cannon

    I love this! It looks like you had an amazing year and another great one in the works.

    We are going to find land and build a new house this year and I am so excited! I have also been talking about this for what seems like forever so I know exactly how you feel!

    #KCACOLS

    Reply
    1. Maria

      Oh wow finding land to build a house sounds like a huge project! I hope it goes well for you. Fingers crossed we both get to see the results of all this building work by the end of the year!

      Reply
  7. Sam Kay

    Congrats on your 4oth birthday! Seems like you had a lot of fun on your days out – I can’t wait for Summer this year, definitely want to get out more! #kcacols

    Reply
  8. Su (Ethan & Evelyn)

    I am glad you enjoyed your 40th and your first night away from the kids. 40 is the age to be for sure. You have had a very productive 2018!

    Reply
  9. Jeremy@ThirstyDaddy

    Always fun to look back at some of the things that you’ve done over the course of a year and spend a few minutes reminiscing. Happy New Year and enjoy your 40s! #KCACOLS

    Reply
  10. Lana

    I love this Maria! It looks like you had an amazing year! I wish you and your family the best in 2019. I followed you on IG. 🙂 #KCACOLS

    Reply
  11. Jenna

    We travelled down south to spend Christmas with family this year so it was a nice change. Went very quickly though.
    It looks like you had some fantastic days out in 2018, the boys always looks so happy 🙂
    I hope you get to tick all those things off your 2019 list! Here’s to a great 2019!
    #KCACOLS
    Love Jenna

    Reply
    1. Maria

      Thank you – we did have a really good 2018 visiting lots of places and days out which I hope will continue for 2019. Our Xmas hols went by really quickly too!

      Reply
  13. Carol Cameleon

    I’d forgotten about that glorious heatwave. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a repeat this year? And good luck with your nails. #kcacols

    Reply
  15. mainy

    What a busy year you’ve had, good to see some rest with the spain holiday too. It reminded me that I feel like I need some sun on my skin, I might start having a look this week:)
    Mainy
    #KCACOLS

    Reply
    1. Maria

      Spain seems like such a long time ago now. Hoping to be able to plan our holiday for this year soonish so we have something to look forward to! You’re right though – we need the sun!!

      Reply
  17. Ali Duke

    You have done so many lovely things over the past year. I turn 40 at the end of February, I’m not looking forward to that lol!

    Reply
    2. Maria

      We did do some really lovely things and had lots of trips away, hopefully there’ll be more of those this year too! Happy 40th to you for February, it feels much the same as 39, you just have to embrace it!

      Reply

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