• Lounging in bed for as long as possible. After working almost 14 days in a row, I needed to make the most of my lie in.
• Cuddling up to Jesse as he lay quietly beside me, drifting in and out of sleep in my arms.
• Peeling the covers back and heading downstairs.
• Sipping tea on the sofa while the children watched cartoons.
• Ploughing through a mountain of chores.
• Missing Mr L.A. He was away on a stag weekend, taking a river cruise/pub crawl along the Avon Canal.
• Enjoying a long, hot shower.
• Slipping into an old LBD and applying my makeup in what felt like record time.
• Coaxing the children into their clothes.
• Pulling on my new mac from Hobbs. I’m head over heels in love with this jacket and wish I’d bought it years ago.
• Wondering if the heavens were about to open as we strolled through the park.
• Dropping off some dry cleaning before heading to The Faraway Tree for lunch.
• Wolfing down my parma ham and goats cheese tart.
• Stealing a little of Izzy’s lunch too.
• Jumping on the bus into town.
• Running errands with the children in tow.
• Treating myself to a Seychelles Candle from The White Company. It’s all I ever want my home to smell of from April to September; the perfect summer scent.
• Picking up groceries on the way home.
• Pottering in the kitchen. Izzy and I made Italian Breakfast Banana Bread together and then I started on dinner while she played with her brother upstairs.
• Frantically texting my best friend directions as her train pulled into Temple Meads.
• Ordering the children into their pyjamas.
• Greeting Donna at the door.
• Exchanging hugs.
• Stirring risotto at the stove as we drank wine and talked incessantly about everything and anything.
• Sitting down to supper.
• Eating too much.
• Taking the children up to bed.
• Drinking more wine.
• Laughing a lot.
• Reminiscing about school days and old, forgotten friendships.
• Suddenly realising it was almost 1am.
• Collapsing into bed.
• Waking up as Jesse climbed in beside me.
• Creeping downstairs so as not to wake others.
• Slowly preparing brunch. Waffles, bacon and more banana bread with lashings of Nutella and maple syrup.
• Lazily getting ready to face the day.
• Taking a long walk around Troopers Hill.
• Very much enjoying the blossom. I love the fact this beauty spot looks a little different every time we go.
• Making our way home via the petrol station where we stocked up on wine and snacks.
• Sleepily watching The Secret Garden while munching on toffee popcorn and marshmallows.
• Watching Donna braid Izzy’s hair.
• Cooking and eating Tray Baked Salmon with Olives, Green Beans, Anchovies and Tomatoes. This simple recipe is an old favourite that always seems to go down well.
• Putting Jesse to bed.
• Looking on as more and more plaits were added to Izzy’s hair, much to her delight.
• Feeling lucky to have someone like Donna in my life.
• Finally sending Izzy up to bed.
• Filling the last few hours of the weekend with plenty of laughter and good conversation.
• Wondering how 20 years of friendship can simultaneously feel like forever and no time at all.

Love Audrey xxx