The bestie and myself celebrate our birthdays a week apart. (Makes it easy for the hubbys as they can plan a joint surprise 😂). Only kidding, we’ve had a lovely week filled with treats and surprises.

She is first in line for the pampering and started her day with a relaxing Indian Head Massage, followed by afternoon tea with her lovely man, before heading home to be surrounded by her family. We joined the happy throng as honorary members, enjoying a great evening with lots of banter and laughter 💕

We had just a day to recover before joining a couple of very long standing girlfriends for a lunch date. We don’t see each other an awful lot but it doesn’t seem to matter. Always great to catch up on each other’s lives, family and plans. Even better when foods included. 😂

Stuffed to the brim, we had to roll ourselves to the local pub to meet more lovely friends for valentines and birthday drinks and test our brains at the quiz. We were obviously enjoying the drinks too much to answer the questions and only came in the middle of the pack. Oh well it’s not the winning that counts it’s the taking part. Well it is in our case 🤣

Hardly having time to draw breath, the following evening, we were whisk off for a surprise celebratory meal at a local hotel. We enjoyed aperitifs in the lounge, whilst perusing the menu, followed by dinner in the small intimate restaurant. Another lovely evening in the company of good friends and still only half way through the week.

The hubby & I took Sunday off, relaxing in front of the telly, watching the England cricket team win a thrilling T20 match against South Africa. One of my favourite ways to spend a chilly, wet winters afternoon.

Monday was the start of half term and with the three youngest and one of their cousins charging around the house, peace was shattered. Not for us little princesses playing quietly with their dolls or doing their hair, we have a house full of little princes flying around shooting guns, practising kick boxing and fighting with swords! Their little cousin slept over so as the stormy weather subsided we took them out to try to burn some of their energy. Scooting around the park through the puddles and the mud, then climbing in the play area. They had a fantastic day and ended with a little treat from their favourite eatery. You know the one, with the big Golden Arches!

Then my birthday morning arrived and after some lovely pressies and reluctant kisses from the boys, I got my fitness regime started. With the help of my new fitness tracker, the hubby and I went off on a 5 1/2 mile bracing walk along the seafront. Wind battered and muddy, we arrived back at the car just as the rain started falling.

10,000 steps target smashed, so after a quick wash & brush up it was off for a birthday lunch. Ok it might counteract the walk we’d just done but it was my birthday 🎁. We had a lovely meal at the newly refurbished Sussex Exchange restaurant, complemented by an aptly named bottle of wine. The food was delicious, the staff excellent, attentive without being intrusive. It was nice to be able to have a conversation without interruptions, discussing plans for the next few months.  A perfect first “date” of the year.

All good things come to an end and we had to return to the noise of our busy household. However the party continued as no. 1 daughter came to visit followed by one of my girlfriends laden with flowers 💐. Too stuffed to join the family for dinner, we enjoyed tea and birthday cake and ended a special day with a visit from the besties and more lovely gifts.

I woke to one final treat ………………. a win on the lottery. Only £30 but a nice little bonus

After a fabulous week of both individual and joint celebrations I am feeling very blessed.

A very lucky lady