Seems trite to say it, but 2020 was unlike anything we could have possibly imagined. It started off well enough, with our new housemates getting used to living here.
Then right after this picture was taken, the world changed completely. We had a lovely Sunday walking along Southend Pier, enjoying a bag of chips when we got back.
And that was pretty much the last 'normal' day out we had, as the country went into Lockdown.
We still managed to go out. But only to the shed, which we turned into a nightclub for the evening with flashing lights, the Indie Disco and drinks.
Lily got used to homeschooling and lessons via video conference. She wasn't completely alone in class however...
We kept ourselves entertained in all sorts of ways. There were a couple of dressing up evenings...
Sadly, the trip we had planned for New York had to be cancelled. So we had an American themed party in the kitchen.
Home Glasto was bigger and better with three themed areas and our choice of favourite past performances.
Lily and Mummy got stuck into gardening, creating new planters and vegetable patches.
The whole street Clapped For Carers every Thursday night.
The biggest downside of it all was not being able to visit family. We made the best of it with video calls and a few weekly quizzes.
We celebrated the anniversary of VE Day with a special afternoon tea.
And created our very own six course Great British Menu.
We tried to recreate Barbados as best as we could.
Everyone had to wear masks. Lily created this striking image which resulted in a flurry of calls from the school, praising her talent, ability and work ethic.
Let's not forget, it was the year Lily became a teenager.
Which also involved new home cinema experiences.
We transformed the whole of the downstairs into our very own bowling alley.
And... we did this.
We got up at half five to sea the sun rise over the Estuary.
Lily's artistic ability really came on this year. We all got involved with a Bob Ross painting day.
Lily magically transformed rubbish into a dress fit for a fairy princess.
When Bake Off came back on, we tried to create one of the themed bakes each week. There were a fair few Showstoppers.
We couldn't go out Trick Or Treating. But we still had spooky fun at Halloween.
We stretched the Christmas spirit out as long as we could, putting our decorations up in November.
With a little help from a snow machine, we even created a Winter Wonderland.
Christmas was just the three of us at home. And a fab Christmas it was too.
We know it has been awful 'out there'. But it has been pretty good 'in here'. We've always appreciated our amazing family life, but this year took it to a whole different level. While we're sad we haven't been able to see everyone or hug all the grandparents, we've stayed very happy together at home. Let's hope we're all back together in 2021.
