10 Things I am Loving about this Holiday!

*1* Well of course first is seeing Rob's family. It's wonderful seeing everyone and catching up and having quality time with them. Time over here is limited so it makes it even more precious the time we spend together. Also feeling very grateful for family - thankful that Rob's Dad contributed on the plane fares to get here, thankful for Janet & John for letting us use there car etc etc...

*2* London - after living here for 14 months there's something wonderful and familiar about returning here. Yesterday Rob and I went into central London (while Grandma Janet babysat - you don't want to take a pushchair into central London if you don't have to!!) And it was great the complete craziness, squashed sardine kinda feeling you get when your in London. It's just so huge and busy that it makes you feel tiny and for some strange reason it's a feeling I like sometimes!

*3* Seeing Maia and Emma together - priceless! They're great little friends. On Saturday we head to Cornwall with Jo, Pat & Maia so it will be great to see Emma and Maia play together for a whole week. It is of course great for us to meet our little gorgeous neice Maia too.

*4* Summer - there's been some gorgeous days and some hideous but this is my grateful list so I'll mention the good days! We've had some great days outside at places and Parks I never knew London had. On Tuesday Janet took us to Willows Farm - where you could feed the animals, go on rides as well as play on a big indoor playground. Emma went on her first ever ride and she couldn't stop smiling!

*5* Shopping! - It's got to be said! Even just to look - the shops are huge - and when I go in them I just want to inhale and absorb the whole experience! That may sound sick - but I know what I mean! I love going back to old favourites too - like NEXT, Monsoon, Ikea and the department stores over here are amazing. Marks & Spencers for example I am amazed looking round there food department - everything looks perfect - pricey but perfect! Yesterday we stood behind an obviously weathly lady as she easily spent 126 pounds (close to 300 NZ) on very little food!

*6* Playtime! I love standing back and just watching others play with Emma. Grandma Janet & John are loving playing with Emma - taking her to the park at every opportunity, Grandad also was great fun to play with in the Wendy House in Lincoln at the weekend. It melts my heart everytime I see Rob play with her too - just to see what a great & fun Dad he is.

*7* Seeing Nan especially! Rob's Nan wasn't very well round Christmas so we were a little worried before seeing her that she may appear older and frail - but I'm thankful to say that wasn't the case at all - she looks fantastic! After having a rough time with a bad leg - you wouldn't even know now!

*8* Catching up with friends! We still have more to see... But last night Rob saw some friends that he hasn't seen since he was 18! Courtesy of Facebook where they've all managed to make contact again - it was fun watching them all reconnecting and remembering the good old days!

*9* Meeting new babies! We still have more to meet. But tonight we meet Matteo now 11 months. Lovely to see so many families growing!

*10* Time together for us too! Rob especially has had a full on last 6 months - with directing a uni paper, doing 2 uni papers and working his usual 40+ hours a week!! It's nice being here together and not having to think about any of that. Or for me not having to be tired from jolly night shifts!