The Rising’s Growing Together Podcast - So Much Changed This Year 2025… Motherhood, Work & Everything In Between (Part 1)

Episode Date: January 3, 2026

In this episode, we sit down together and reflect on a year that genuinely changed us both.We talk openly about:- Welcoming a new family member and how that shift impacted our family dynamics- Returning to work after maternity leave and the emotional transition- Balancing careers, family life, and everything happening behind the scenes- Moving into our new studio and what this new space represents for us- Family adventures, holidays, and moments that meant more than we expected- Celebrating birthdays, milestones, and traditions with our kids- The everyday parenting challenges especially sleep and big transitions- Why building community with other women has mattered more than everThis conversation isn’t about having it all figured out.It’s about sharing the real moments, the growth, the challenges, and the gratitude that came from this season of life.🎧 Part 2 continues the conversation, where we go even deeper into what we’ve learned, what surprised us, and what we’re carrying into the new year.

Hi guys. Yay. Welcome in our new studio. It's so good. Very, very happy. Very proud. Yeah. No, it's great.

It's a new space. Obviously, well done husband. Yeah, well done. Tech man. Not just a tech man. Not just a tech man. No, it's lovely. We're in the new studio.

There's so much more space. And, yeah, we don't have to keep moving things around. And, you know, around the old room, so much more space. Everybody's got his space and now Hayden's got his room. He does, yeah. Well, putting it together. Like this is all kind of been put together at midnight. Yes.

And again this morning. So we did a late night IKEA run. Nice. Not just the run. You actually did the full-on movement of all the furniture, the building of everything. Yeah. And we took the boys, which is a bit mad.

but actually they were very well behaved. Yeah, I thought that when you said, I was like, you're brave. I know, I know, but I was impatient and I wanted to like get it and get it done. And get the stuff so that we could record today. It's done. It's done. Otherwise we wouldn't have been able to record today. It would have been in the other room.

You did it? Yeah, loving it. Loving our new space. Yeah. Tell us what you think. Yeah. Just in the right time. New year?

Yeah. Closing out the year. Yeah. Talking about next year. Yeah. In the new space. Yeah. Feels right.

Yeah. Feels good. Feels good. Well done. So, on that note, should we recap our year? Yeah, we're going to have a yearly recap of everything we've been up to. To be honest, I don't think I've ever done that. So it would be quite nice to go through it.

Because there is things that people do that I would like to do, but realistically, I probably wouldn't do it, that they get a jar. Yeah. You know what I was going to say because you're going to do it either. So you write like all these things that you've done, like, you know, whatever you've been through for the year. and you put it in the jar and then you get it out on the year. That's it.

Yeah. No, that's a lovely idea. It is a lovely idea but I don't think I'd ever remember to do it. No. You know? They say like do highlight of the week and write it down and then put it in the jar. Yeah. See, I don't think I've even do that.

No. That's the thing. It's hard to stick to you. It's a lovely idea. It'd be great to actually, especially with kids your age to like sit and then like open things up and remind yourselves of. Well, I love my, I still love my scrapbook now of what I made and I still have never done. another one and it's the best thing I've ever made. Yeah.

And I still not learn from that. Yeah. You know, but yeah, if you do actually take the time to do it, it's definitely worth it. That jar one is a good one. But yeah, so I'm going to have some surprises because... And the only way we've actually been able to do it is to go through the photos on our phone. Yeah. So there's probably a lot because me and you are not the best.

Well, I've got no memory on my phone. So I don't know... You're worse and I'm not as good either of actually remembering two take photos. So there's probably loads that we've done that we just didn't take photos. and therefore we don't remember it until a random memory. I don't have, the thing, I used to be really good with photos. No one would ever see the photos, but I would, I was going to say, you don't ever really post them.

No, no, I'd never, I'd just take them and I've got them sort of thing. But now I don't have the memory. I think, I can't even take it anywhere. I'm not going to open my camera up because it annoys me. So, yeah, we'll see. It'll be nice surprise. So I'm excited to hear you, yours as well. Yeah.

There's a couple things that stand out. But until you actually go through the photos and really look at all you're done and you're like, Wow, actually, that is a busy year. Yeah, I think it's a good thing. I like it. It's a good little exercise to do. So if you get stuck and you want something to do new years or even just the first week of the new year, sit through, go through your phone, jot it down or even just have conversations with your nearest and dearest about your memories.

Do you know what reminds me of that actually, just before you start is I know it's obviously going back into Christmas a bit. But then videos that were going around where they were asking the children, can you name three? things that you got for Christmas last year. Wow. And they couldn't or they were struggling to like, done, done, done. When obviously when they're asking for it, I read one is and you know what I mean?

Yeah. And they were struggling to just name three things that they got last year for Christmas. Yeah. Yeah. The next question was, can you tell us where you went away with a trip with your family last year? Like that answered it. Wow.

So it does show you. That just showed me that sort of. Yeah. And I feel like if I did that to my children, which I should try out really. I don't think I could even name presents that I bought Kaysen last year. That's what I thought myself. Or Santa brought him like I can. Nothing.

Especially when we're like the big organisers of Christmas. I don't think I could even do it. Let alone the kids remember it. Yeah. So that was a big eye opener as well actually. No, it's true. And like I say, because I did get less presents this year, I think I'm going to try and stick to that.

And yeah, like book some experience. Well, to be fair, Kaysen got a few experiences. actually this year. Yeah. So he's got his art class. Yeah. That's booked. Santa brought him that in his stocking.

That's brilliant. So he's going to go to art class from January every week. And then he got tickets to K-pop in the theatre with my mum. So he's got that experience that that's going to, you know, happen. So, yeah, I think I might try. To be fair, it's something I saw on Pinterest that I tried to do. And I kind of guided him when he was doing his Christmas list. to not ask for so...

It's something that you really want. Yeah. Something that you need. Something that you can wear. Yeah. Something you can do. And there's another one but I can't remember. Something you can make or something like that.

So there are like different things. A criteria. And because of us having that conversation, he wanted like K-pop clothes. He wanted... He put cinema tickets, but obviously he got theatre tickets. The art class. Yeah. he wanted some switch games,

Nintendo Switch games. So yeah, his list did kind of follow that a little bit, which is a good idea. But then again, I say that with the idea of what some of the grandparents of mine do on the birthdays now instead of giving them the present, they take them out. So they take them out, go and look if there's something that they like, then they get it.

And then they have something to eat. You know what I mean? So it's like a day out together. It's more the day out than the actual gift. than what they end up with. Yeah, I love that. And it's more memorable. Yeah, for sure.

Do you remember that birthday when we went and we've done that? And they do. That's exactly what. Rather than what we got, it's that. I'm going to make more of a conscious effort to do more experiences and trips. I think it's, you know what I mean? Well, what? Yeah.

They know, they do it anyway without even knowing it. But obviously kids being kids, obviously, you know, present gifts, you know, what it's like. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But, yeah, there's always going to be things that they want. And they should have things that they want. But at the same time, like you say, when we know as adults, that's what's more memorable. We should do more experiences. Yeah, definitely.

So, yeah, that will be on my resolution list to do more stuff. Resolution, don't ask you that. So, right, let's have a little look at what we got up to. I'm excited. So I returned from maternity leave. Wow. So that was a big way to start the years. I remember this actually.

Like sick the job, whatever it was. about going to. It's always a big thing, isn't it? Like, return into maternity league. But also we get a very short time here compared to other countries. Yeah. And I feel that it's very short. Although I don't know if because we're used to it, we don't know any different.

You know what I mean? So it's just like everyone's the same. And if you know what I mean. No, it's true. But either way. A lot of people in England take a year maybe even longer. Yeah, that must be harder. Harder or I'm really.

Ready. Yeah. You know what I mean? Because I spoke about that. I think we must have spoke about it because of that feeling of actually I'm ready. I'm ready to go back. But I don't think we get that when we go back so early. Whereas I think if it had been a year, year and a half or however long some people take, then it would be like, I'm ready now.

But it's good because you can fall into that, I don't know, that identity, different, I don't know, you lose that identity of, you know. And it can be harder in a way because you're so not used to working and you're so used to being with the baby. It's almost like the longer you put something off, the harder it is. So, yeah, yeah, yeah. I took longer with Hayden than I did with Kaysen. So Kaysen I did about five months. And I think with Hayden I did about seven months. But yeah.

And into a new job. Wow. So that was, yeah, that was a big change really. I don't think until sitting back and looking and saying out loud, like, back to work after time off and into a completely new job role that I'd never done before. But no, loving it. Yeah, so it was a good... It was...

It just... It's really good. And I think just looking back, everything just kind of slotted into place and it was like meant to be. Yeah. Right time. At the right time, yeah. I don't think I would have... I feel like I needed to have gone through everything that I went through in order to do this job role and do it justice and do a really good job of it.

And enjoy it. And appreciate it or whatever, you know. Yeah, because that was one of the things that I was worried about going back to work in my previous job role. It's a lot. You know, you've got your own sales targets. You've got a team that's relying on you. You've got partners contacting you 24-7 clients, numbers. Like, it's a lot.

And going back, still with broken sleep. Yeah. Still, like, juggling two kids. Like, it was a bit nerve-wracking. and actually going back into this new job role, even though it's more responsibility in a completely different way. Yeah. I wasn't as needed by so many people at the same time.

It's more, but in a different way. In a different way because essentially I'm now responsible for a bigger team than I was before. But not from a million different departments, I suppose. Yeah, and all at the same time and like the day to day. And then have the partners contacting me and clients that have deadlines and things. Yeah, it's just different. So, yeah, in a way, like, say, more responsibility but much more manageable and much more suited to the life now.

So yeah, it all lined up really well. We did obviously dance. We did. I actually forgot. The parades and things like that. So, I mean, we did it more the year before. We kind of stopped after January this year. That was clearly like a diamond year because all we did was stick.

Actually, you did most of mine. I'm not even going to lie. The sticking of the, and I loved the classes and I loved the parades. and I loved it all. And I'm glad I don't do it, to be fair, in a way. But I know that I just felt that bit of when we're up to do all our costumes. For me. I think for where we're at with what we've got going on, it's a big commitment.

The specific dance place we went to because they commit to so many parades. Yeah, which is great. And they do loads of different routines and dancers. And there's always something you're practicing for. It was probably just a little bit too serious for what we've got going on. Whereas we wanted something probably a little bit less commitment. Even though I love the parades, I'm glad we pushed ourselves to do it off of them. I am.

I just wished it was like a costume maker and I would just give them all our outfits to sort. That's the only thing that annoy you. But yeah, I think it's still too many, too many commitments to, too many performances to commit to for me. Something a little less would have been nice. Yeah, so I'm glad we did it. I'm glad we did it. That was an experience. That was really fun to do it.

And getting back into something that we enjoy. enjoyed doing when we were kids. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. We still get it. Yeah. Still got it. And it was and meeting new people because I, when I'm in that area, I see the people, you know, and it's nice, you know, to say hi. Or when we're going to watch a parade, they're in it. Or one of them came along to our women's event. Yes. Exactly. Yeah, no, it's nice, really nice. Love that. We went to a friend's wedding in Leeds. Did. I also forgot that. That is so weird, isn't it? That was actually this year. Well, it was January, wasn't it? It was a long time ago to remember. But that's what I mean.

Until you sit down and go through, you forget. And that was so good because it was something, well, it was definitely a wedding that. First time to leads for both of us. Well, yeah, exactly that. Leads. Yeah. And it was a wedding that we've never been to as in like there was, there was no plan. Yeah.

You know what I mean? As in like. It was really casual. Yeah. So not. over the top organised and stress there wasn't

you need to be here no food's here sit there be there you know that sort of thing it was really relaxed so so relaxed and it was a good experience

because obviously we didn't know what we were doing but we just kind of went with whatever we wanted to do in a way obviously I remember the two memories of for me was one when we was in like the pub or whatever

and the bride and groom were into the impression obviously that they were going to obviously just go back to their room. They had their children. Yeah. And we was all like, well, we need to carry on the celebrations, you know. You've just got married and da-da-da-da.

And we had this moment. I felt like children, actually, in this moment of like trying to like beg the mom. I was in the now. Oh, yeah, yeah. To have the children. Not that she would have needed it, but we were just a bit more like, please, please, please. They do say that though. It's like when we used to ask our parents, can we go out?

Yeah. And now you've got kids. You have to still ask your mom and dad, please can I go out and can you have the kids? So you're still asking to go out. And I remember she was like the, the, the, the mom or the nanweather, she was like, yeah, yeah, we'll have the, and we all was like, yeah, that was one thing for me. And the other one is, which I think we're the same is when they, they had that moment.

Yeah, so later on that evening, they went back with the grandparents to actually put the baby to bed because he was still quite small and they were going to come back to meet us. So we'd gone out to, we found this little bar, didn't we that was quite small, quite quiet, but they were playing some good music. And it just so happens, they walked in. on Bruno Mars was it? I don't know what I couldn't tell you what song it was but they had there they had a...

I think I want to marry you. Whatever it was. I think it was that song and they walked in. And then we were all at the end of the bar so then we all cheered and then we realised what song it was and then they had like a little first dance. It was, oh, it made me go funny then. Because it was so, again, nothing was planned

and it just happened perfectly. They didn't even stay so long but it was nice for them to have that moment together with us just because it was their day. And then obviously they went back. They left and obviously dead then and we carried on and celebrated, didn't we really? No, it was a really good, really good wedding. And then, oh, just quickly, we had that experience just because when we were walking back,

we wanted food, didn't we? Yeah. And we went into somewhere to get the food, like a pizza place or Chinese. I can't remember what it was. And they said, sorry, we can't give it you. We can only deliver. Do you not remember? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I was just like, well, I'm here. Just give it me. I know we have to deliver it. But it's there. Just give it me. And we had to just walk back to where we were staying and literally watch this person just ride around and deliver it. It was so funny.

Oh, we got a few different things and then we ate it in the lobby of the hotel, didn't we? Yeah, because you've got pizza. I know there was, I'm sure it was the pizza place. Yeah. And then we've got a Chinese and I think whoever adored Chinese something weird came. Yeah, yeah, yeah. The Chinese wasn't great. No, it looked very strange.

I think me and Liam had pizza. Yeah. Yeah. I don't think I, I think I'd pack it at Chris and that. Yeah. Yeah. Just remembered that then going, I'm here. Just give it to me. Do you, Liam and Mitch ate at the day before? Yeah, the Alchemist. That was it. The Alchemist. That was a cool place. That was cool. Nice food. It was lovely. So I've been to the Alchemist in Portsmouth and I've been to the Alchemist in Leeds. And when me and Liam were in London, we saw the Alchemists. So they've got quite a few of them. I also went to another wedding in Portsmouth for friends of mine and Liams. We knew the groom. Hadn't met the bride. That was a big wedding. That was a really lovely, yeah, fancy wedding.

And very different because of their culture was different. So they did like the entrance and playing different music. Yeah, like different traditions that they do. Rather than a party and obviously a celebration, which it is, I do feel like for guests who don't experience them cultures or I've never even been to a wedding or whatever, but it is an experience. Yeah. It's quite cool. It was because we didn't really know what to expect.

So it was really cool to see, yeah, like their traditional ways of doing it. And because they kind of mixed the two together. Yeah. Which was really, really nice. I had a big family holiday to, we went to Orlando, then we went on a Caribbean cruise. Yeah, that was a big one. That was a big one. That was two years.

in the making. So that was a really nice holiday. That was three weeks. I think it was in the end. So we did Universal. We did Costa Rica. We went ziplining. We went and saw Messi at a football game in Miami. That's a big holiday. The amount of things you've done in that is so good. Even just that holiday, if I actually listed all the things. Like that was really good. And it was nice because it's my mum and dad. It was my nan and granddad. My sisters, my brother and his partner and us and the kids and Hayden was only small but yeah it was that was a really jam-packed full but also nice chill holiday that was really great um we started this podcast yeah we did we did I just asked that didn't I before I was like where did I couldn't remember so the first official

episode went out on the first of February so so me and Liam went to um Phoenix and it was while we were in the airport, we were talking about like the next new year and new things and what to do. So I messaged you in the December. Yeah. And we obviously got together. And then by first of February, we done it. Because Liam had ordered everything for when you got back. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I remember now. Yeah, literally like within the first week of January, we had all the equipment. Literally, yeah. Straight up. And yeah, we met up. We had lunch. spoke about what we wanted it to be and staff. Packed on.

And now we're nearly a year old. Yeah, a month away from being a year old. That's mad. Obviously, at the house, we've hosted Easter. We've done birthdays. We did Halloween. New Year's. We've both got more tattoos.

Yes, I actually forgot that too. Yeah, yeah. I've got a huge tattoo on by. There was only supposed to be a cover up. After, however long of waiting to spend your tattoo vouchers. Easily 10 years, isn't it? Easily, yeah. Yeah, well, my mum and dad had loads of vouchers.

as well and I think my dad Your dad did it this year too Yeah he spent his vouchers this year Before he left So yeah I got some So I've got mine and Liam's initials on my ribs With like some swirly bits around it And it was just looking a bit tired

And a bit lonely and a bit old So yeah I juzged it up So I had two big flowers And I had a cover up of the boys' names Because for years I was saying I was gonna have Lexi And then as time went on I don't think I want the names, but I'd like obviously a symbol for them, obviously, you know, something.

Yeah. Because I think it's, I like a tattoo with a meaning. Yeah. So, yeah, so in the end I designed a cover up that was this small to, it's got just covered to most. Expanded. It's quite big. I don't know how I forgot about it, to be honest with you, but there we go. So yeah, it's got a lot of different bits in it.

It's a lion with the kids' birth flowers and a butterfly and loads of different things. So a lion is a Leo and you're a Leo. Yeah. It's obviously got the kids' birth flowers and yeah, it's lovely. I'm so happy with it. So, so happy and I'm so glad I've done it. Yeah. Yeah, I love it.

I don't know how I forgot about it, but I absolutely love it. It's because it's been winter as well. It probably is actually, to be fair. It was like, it was like, you weren't in shorts anyway. Well, that is why I did it for that healing thing really. But not that I really go in the sun, to be honest nowadays. But yeah, I'm glad I've done it. It was done.

It's quite a big thing, isn't it? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, I think my big one was like my second toe. Exactly. I was pretty. Yeah, the side one that I started with, which is the wolf's head and the woman's face, that was about nine hours. Yeah, that's. And then since then I've added a cub for Kaysen and a cub for Hayden and their names.

Yeah. So, yeah. Yeah. Like a big tattoo. I know. That's it now for me. I'm done. Oh, see, I want more already.

Well, there's a two little one I like. got those roses not long ago and I really won another one. Everyone did, oh, you're going to feel the, what's it? You know, the urge or whatever you want to think. Well, Liam got a big one on his forearm and he's never really had the urge to have anymore. That made me laugh at that conversation. Oh, it was so funny about that tattoo. So funny.

Right, so to give context, guys, like, Liam's got his whole forearm done. And it's the words to the song, your love is my love. My love is your love. It would take an eternity to break us. He's got two doves and some clouds. Which is strange because I've never really, I know he's got a tell you, but I don't know. I don't know, notice what it said, I suppose.

Well, because it's on the underneath. It is quite easily. But it was the other day and I was obviously sitting here, was messing with the, whatever he does, the text of. And I'd noticed this thing. And as I was trying to read it and I was like, your love is my love and my love. You know, that was a fun.

Yeah, that's cool. And then I didn't even say anything. I didn't even go, oh. I didn't even say anything. Fast forward a week or two later. Yeah, so at my birthday, I don't know how the topic came up, but we were talking about the tattoo. And I said to Liam, I was like, no, I think we talk about wedding songs.

Maybe then, maybe. Maybe wedding songs. And I was saying, why did you get that song on your arm? That's not even our wedding songs. Because that's not any song that is anything to do with us. Obviously, we've been together so long. And I wouldn't say we have one song that's our song. No, but I know what you mean.

song, I picked it for the wedding. It wasn't a song of ours that we've had for ages. So we've got loads of songs. I feel like if you had to pick five songs, that song definitely wouldn't have been in the list. Absolutely, not even top five. So that's what I mean. Like, we've got a lot of songs that remind us of each other.

We don't have a standout song. No, but yeah. Why did you pick that from the skin? It was a weird thing. They've been together all these time and he's had this tattoo all this time. It was actually, she kind of had this thing at the table. The penny just dropped like, why have you got them? What made you pick that song?

Because it's not a song of them. bars. But he was obviously, he picked it for the lyrics because the lyrics are lovely. And it's absolutely true. And it is a lovely song. But it did the penny drop like years later. Like, what made you pick that one? I don't, I think he got it before we got married. So it's not like he would have picked the wedding song. But yeah, we've got some. Yeah. It was just a really funny moment. Actually a married couple having a realisation. They didn't really. Yeah. People didn't know what. But it was fun. That was funny.

Funny, funny. So me and Liam went to roses in Barcelona. or north of Barcelona, which a place we'd never been to before. So a friend of mine who we went to her wedding the year before is a friend of mine from college. So I've known her since I was 16, 17. We met at. So I didn't know her from Portsmouth before, but we met at college. That's cool.

So yeah, known each other for a long, long, long time. And her husband has a place up there. And they live in the Cayman Islands now. So we met at having. college. She lived in Portsmouth and then moved to Southampton and they've been together for probably eight, nine years, maybe even longer now. But two, three years ago, I want to say, roughly, they moved to the Cayman Islands. So, yeah, I don't really get to see them even when we go back to Portsmouth anymore. So they were going and spending a couple of months up there

because they can work remotely. So, yeah, me and Liam decided to go and meet them. We debated whether to take the boys or not, we decided not to, because it's not a very easy place to get to. We actually had to fly to Barcelona, then hire a car and drive for another hour and a half. It's like that much norther than the airport. So we left in this time. But, yeah, we didn't realize it was a great time. It was really cool, cute places to go. And like, we just went mooching around, like the towns.

You would never have found it or gone to it. Would never have picked there to go in a million years. If you didn't know the... Exactly. Which I love that. Love that. And he's got a lovely house up in the mountains. The views for days and days and days.

Really lovely place. I think we spent three nights up there. So it's a really nice break. And we didn't realise until a couple of months after that she found out she was pregnant just before we got there. Oh my goodness. But having to... Yeah.

First pregnancy, early stages. They decided not to tell us while we were there. But they just had loads of family over. So she was like, oh, you know, I just don't, not in the mood for drinking. I've just drank for, you know, two, three weeks. We've had, like, her parents visit, his family visit. So I was like, yeah, fair enough.

So obviously I had one or two drinks here and there. But no, it was nice. We just got on with things. We went for hikes. We went for strolls around the towns. I love that. Because we were going to go as a family thing, wasn't we? Yeah.

Well, we're thinking about doing it at one of the holiday times that you have with the school year and whatever. But yeah, I definitely like to, definitely like to go. I would definitely recommend. Yeah. And roses. I'm sure it's called roses. Oh. Yeah. So strange because it's that far north is, is it Catalan where it's like Frenchy Spanish and it's like even all the signs are like that Frenchy Spanish that even like it's not they don't speak. What's our Spanish? Castellana. Yeah. They don't speak our Spanish very much up there. I think they can understand you but it is very much like you're near enough at the border. Yeah, it will be Catalan, wouldn't it? Because it's Barstall. Yeah. So, but yeah, she's due her.

baby in two weeks. Wow. When you say it like that? Yeah. Oh, good luck. Good luck. Yeah. I was having a little girl as well.

Good luck. Oh, really good luck. And actually they're planning on obviously being in Cayman for a little bit and around the same time. Cayman. Right. So that's like Caribbean. Yeah. I'm really bad at geography.

So I didn't want to imagine somewhere and it's completely wrong. It's not far from Miami. I think they're. Their flight into Miami is like 45 minutes. So it's one of the islands in the Caribbean. Wow. I knew someone who lived there. Oh, do you?

Yeah, you know, no, I don't know someone who lives there. Someone who lives here. I'm sure she used to live there. Well, it's one of these tax havens and she's a lawyer. So she does a lot of work with like contracts and companies. And a lot of companies are registered there for tax reasons and stuff like that. I see. Yeah. And it's probably beautiful to live, isn't it?

Yeah, yeah. Proper island life. And it must be. I'm not being, if you're going to have a child, something that you think about, isn't it? Are we going to, yeah. Not settle, but are we at least going to... Yeah, I don't think their plan is to be there for years and years.

No, but you know what I mean? It must be a lovely safe. Yeah, and I imagine, like, while the kids small, they'll stay there. But they're planning on being in roses for a couple of months. So I think we're going to go out and meet the baby. So that's the plan. Love that. What else have we done?

So I've been to Portugal, New Yorker and London for work. which was nice and fun. So it's nice, yeah, I don't have to travel too much for work. And actually I could probably do a little bit more. But it's nice to be able to, and Portugal, New Yorker so close and easy. And even London. So they were fun trips. I do actually like going on little trips by myself.

I do enjoy a little work trip. Little hotel stay for a couple of nights. Hayden's had loads of firsts and his first birthday. So walking, eating, tantrums. talking, yeah. Throw in. Throwing. Throwing. You've said he's learnt now. Dash everything off the side. Yeah. In an anger tantrum.

Even if you give him back when he wants. Well, if you want something, I'm like, no, no, no. And then I'm like, I'll find you can have it. No. That's it. You said no once. You've took it off me once. Dash everything. Yeah. So he's in a proper tantrum. He's very angry. He's like, like, when he switches, he's even happy, smiley, love it or. Yeah. He is like, like, angry child. Yeah. But yeah, loads of firsts with him. Kaysen got glasses.

Yeah. So that was a big shock. Yeah, it is. It's a very new thing, isn't it? Yeah, big shock. And to be fair, he's had them glasses from May till December, not lost them. No. Not scratched them.

He's done really good. And he takes him on and off at school, puts him away for like Pee and stuff. He's done really good. I think it's good when they do get them younger. I think, again, I've only had Lexi as experience. Well, knowing how blind he is. I can't believe it took till he. I actually thought the same with mine to be fair.

Yeah. Yeah. It's crazy. And it even says to me, how did you let me get till I was six? I know. I didn't realize you were blind like your dad. It's weird. It's weird.

Yeah, it is. It's true. What else? So we obviously went back to England for Christmas, but we also went back in August because my parents left. They moved away from Spain. That was a big. Which is huge because they are.

Not that they still are, even though they're in another country. but they are so hands-on, aren't they, with children and you and just life and family life and, you know, just... No, that was a big change. Even just organised at a barbecue, they're just, you know what I mean? They'll come on, let's always get together, always. Yeah. We'll do this for you. Since Kaysen was born, every Friday.

Every Friday. Yeah, we lost our bases. But, sorry, but we learned that your sister can I say. Exactly. Because of them, then we've learned my youngest sister is a very good road down. So we'll see how much longer she's here for and how much we can squeeze some babysitting out of her. She might just have booked a fly. But no, yeah, they went, which is sad. But like I say, we went and visited them twice so far, which is nice. And from that, there's other opportunities of what you're doing, whether you're going to, you're having another family holiday, aren't you, in another part of Spain?

and things like that. Yeah, exactly. So we went for Christmas. Kaysen's got a trip to go see them on his self in February. Not flying by himself. My sister's taking them one way. My dad's bringing them back the other way. And then, yeah, in May, end of May, we're all getting together again in Ibiza.

So we've got that book. So that's nice to look forward to. So, yeah, like you say, it causes you to book things to have a reason to get together. Yeah. We went camping. We did. We did. We love camping.

I've been camping. obviously a few times. Yeah, you've been camping loads. So we tagged along this time. We did. So we did, this is the second time we went along. Because the first time I was pregnant. And my mum and dad took the camper van and stuff.

But you were heavily pregnant. You weren't just a little bit pregnant. No, I think it was around May and I had him in June. So, yeah, I was about eight, nine months pregnant. You was. But this time we went to, yeah, a different one. Yeah. We got cabins and Hayden was obviously with us and little.

But yeah, that was nice. It's really nice because actually it was the weather warning weekend. Yeah, it was. So we didn't know how it was going to go. Yeah. But it was fine. Yeah. We didn't really seem.

No, we had a bit of rain. Yeah. We didn't, we weren't hit hard where we were camping. And even when it was raining, I had videoed my children, literally playing football in the rain. I'm under an umbrella and that in the rain, you know. Yeah. Yeah. That was a really good.

That was a good weekend. Yeah, that was good. We hosted our first women's event. We did. And our second... Two. Two women's events, which was really good. So that was a really cool experience.

Yeah, I think we just more... Although we already have it, I just feel like we more started our community. Yeah. Which is what we wanted, you know? But in more of a... What's the word? Like a, you know, like a real life thing, you know?

Rather than just through the camera. Yeah. You know, so it was nice to... In person. For sure. That's how you make proper good, deep connection. Yeah, and I'm so excited. We made a start. Yeah, exactly.

So we kind of kicked it off. I think it was October, one of the dates and November the other date. So we've been a bit quiet. We have ofs because it's been. It's been manic and it's that time of year. Yeah. But we already have one planned for January. Yes, we do.

So for those of you that are thinking about joining us, we will be doing one in January. and yeah we've got loads of other ideas just for the community itself and online and how to get together. Because we didn't know what to expect. The women didn't even know what to expect. No. So for everyone to leave and come away from it, you know, feeling good is basically a lot of other things. But feeling good and happy is great. It's a great start.

Yeah. Because there's so much more to come, not just from us, but from generally, the community that we're growing. I think I'd said it before. I said the other day to you, I think I'd noticed that I'd seen an interaction between two of the women who had met on one of our events. And I just felt so proud because I was like, that's us.

We're bringing these women together. It was online, didn't you? You saw a post and one of them commented and was like, yeah, like big in the mark. Exactly that. We're supporting each other still. And that started just another friend. I just love that. I love seeing it and I was proud of it. So yeah, it was, yeah, we started and yeah, we're nowhere near. Watch this space, guys. We've got lots of good plans. But yeah, for those of you that are interested, January is the next date.

So we're finalising a few things. You will be hearing about that soon, I'm sure. What else would we done? We went to Alicante. We had a girls day in Alacanti for our birthday, escape rooms. karaoke. That was fun. That was brilliant, actually. That was a different kind of birthday. Yes, that was really fun. That was really good. I had such a good time.

Yeah. Such a good time. I probably would have been better off staying. I wouldn't have been sick on my home. That was... Yeah, I'm going to go. Pass me double to get the car wash. But what, what a day.

What a brilliant, brilliant afternoon. It wasn't even a full on day. No, it's just an afternoon. We'd actually gone up from, you know, earlier, you know. But we're not the day. We needed it, but... Yeah, but no. We always want more, don't we?

We'll definitely do that again. That was really fun. Definitely, definitely do that again. We did our Christmas pottery, our Christmas party at your house. Yeah. So again... Our secret Santa, our annual thing. Our annual Christmas festivities.

We still haven't actually got our pottery, have we? No. No, the woman's messaged a few times. So... We'll use that next year. Yeah. Well, I tried to go yesterday, actually, because it's a friend of ours who's meant to be connecting it, but she's away.

Yeah. So I messaged and said, oh, um, if it's open and around, I'll go grab it now. So then she messaged back and was like, oh, she's just replied. Yeah, she's open to a quarter past two. I went, it's five past two. I can't get there in 10 minutes. So, no, it's closed for another day.

So at some point, we won't be able to hang on the tree this year. That'll be perfect for next year. Yeah, new decorations for next year. And, yeah, to finish the year off, obviously, we went to England, but we're in our new studio. We are. And it feels like a proper studio. It really does.

It's really, it's really, it doesn't feel, I say it doesn't feel any different, but I mean it's... It probably, I don't know if it's going to look much different to you guys because I don't know how much of it you can see, but obviously we've got a new rug. There's a whole new... We've got more space. We've got a bookcase. We've got a new plant. And yeah, just a much bigger space.

It just feels professional. It does. It feels, it feels perfect. The other room was nice, but this feels more professional. Yeah. I'm really... It's nice to have a dedicated space. the computer and the lights and everything is just going to stay where it is.

It was all for a tech man, I suppose, wasn't it? Yeah. Him having to juggle. Because even though a lot of the stuff stayed in that room because that room was taken over for the podcast, Liam was constantly having to bring his computer in and out. But now, no, now we're here and we're here for good. Yes, we are. And again, I know I've said it, I just feel that change for you and Hayden in him having

to know what it's going to be so big for you. Well, I keep forgetting about that. So when we do this recant next year, you're going to say, hey, you know, going into his room and will it or not? I don't know how it's going to go. You never know. No, that's true. I keep talking about like we're moving the podcast and we're in the new studio. But that means that Hayden's going in his bedroom.

Yeah. And I might do the first night tonight. Why not? Why not? I'm off work. Yeah. Or not you're not. But you know what I mean?

It's one of those days, isn't it? Well, it's a party day. So I'm sure he'll be up late and he'll be tired and he'll be running around. So it's probably a good day of all days to do it. And then tomorrow is kind of a, you can't go anywhere anyway, do you? Yeah, exactly. So if we need to nap in the day, who cares? So, yeah, I think we'll bite the bullet and we'll put him in the new room tonight.

Because he does he wake up in the night? So, he's actually quite. That's a stupid question, I'll know. He's actually quite good. Yeah. And he went through a stage for a long time of sleeping through. He's had illnesses as well, teething. He's had illnesses.

But the worst thing is this new habit he's got where he wakes. up multiple times tonight asking for juice. Juice. That reminds me about it. Juice is in the house. That's how you said it then. Well, that's how he says it. He says juice, juice, juice, juice.

I'd come up here like, juices in the house. Not at 4 in the morning, Charlotte, no. I was thinking, I'm so out of them time, can't you? Because I'm actually joking about it. So he was sleeping through pretty decently. and then because he had a cough, that's what it was. He had a cough. So I was giving him his juice to like, you know, try and help him go back to sleep.

So he does go back to sleep. But now I have to get up out of bed, get his drink, give it to him. Oh, so he... But I'm going to put in his cot. I was going to say, if it's a non... Yeah, I'm going to... Hopefully he doesn't spill it and he doesn't... What are they called?

The non... The sippy cup, yeah. Yeah, so his doesn't spill unless he holds it down. I was going to say they are ages when they... He has figured out if he holds it down, it's squirt. I think mine used to do. I've even watched kids do. They have it in their mouth.

They actually, it's just pouring it out of their mouth. Yeah. They're just letting it. Oh, that's his own, he'll learn. He's a lion wet. Yeah, exactly. He is a good sleeper. But the other night, I think it was the day after we got back from England.

No, it was the day before. So the day you said that you had the sleep. The day before I was in a move. Christmas is over day. Yeah. The day before that, I had a shit asleep. Because no word of lie, he got up probably eight times for his bloody The juice.

He didn't have. But then last night, or was it, the night after, he didn't get up as much, but he got up at 240, 340 and 4.40. That's weird. I don't like things. So literally an hour, I think those three times. I think it was only three times. For the juice. For juice.

For juice? But it was like exactly an hour after each other, which was weird. So yes, he does sleep through. But. Get your own juice. Yeah. I'm going to show him it's in his car and he can get his own juice. I'm sure I used to do that with my nephews actually because they would wake up and, you know,

then my sister and would say, oh, just leave it next to them. Yeah. The only time they would moan is if they can't find it. Yeah. So. Yeah. So that's what I mean. If he doesn't wake up for his drink, then generally he does sleep through or at most.

There's your dummy. You've lost it. There you go. Well, this is it. Either our next recording, you're going to see a bill like a whole new woman. Yeah. Or she's going to be like, I'm up now 16 times in the night. And I have to get out of my room into the other room,

whereas he's at the end of the bed at my room. Sometimes it's just to be that dedication. It's like point training and it. Sometimes you really can't. I'll keep going on it. But if you don't, they're never going to get there. Because he does, he has started having dreams and nightmares where he's like winging and sometimes shouting.

And then I'm up. But he's actually asleep. So for those times, it's going to be better for him to be in his own room because he's not even awake. He's just cracking on with it. As long as he's safe, it doesn't well it, does it? Exactly. So we will see, to be confirmed. Yes.

To be confirmed. And any tips of moving them out of their room this late? And keep them in there. Yes. Because Kaysen was in his own room at four months. Yeah. Hayden's a year and a half. See, mine were all a bit later. Mine were all in a week and a while.

And that's only because of a podcast. Yeah. We'll blame us. It's fun. But I did bump into a girl that I know from my old work who's had her third. And she's just moved house and she's only just put in. in hers in her own room. She's two, two and a half. So, yeah, I think it's harder when they notice more.

Yeah. But they're also a bit more grown up too. Yeah, I think with the boys especially, Lexi, definitely not. The boys, they had their rooms, but they still slept with us. Yeah. I know, I remember Mason, because I was thinking, I'm going to have a baby soon. I can't have you and a baby with her. I think that's what normally forces people to stick to it.

So that's a long old time, you know, so. Yeah, because that was the same with our friends. She had her son And the daughter was still getting in the bed She was like Roll over Literally that song So I had to do that

Liam looked through the window today And we're like both sorting this room out Sorting Hayden's room out Duda da da Hayden's just got out of bed And he's with case and whatever About our bed you took him out of bed Yeah I took him out of bed

They can't get out of his bed He's not in one of them back He's in an actual cot still So any They were playing And then I'm in the living room And Liam's running down the side of the house because he's outside like

Hayden's on the bed I went how's Hayden on the bed I ran down the hallway Casey had picked him up and put him on the bed and then left him there no they was with him luckily he was with him but Hayden goes mad on our bed like he jumps up on the headboard and he's frozen self and he's didda-da-da and oh yeah he's definitely that that no fear saying yeah but Kaysen's never done things like that before where he's like

picked him up yeah so I mean you can't do that Well, he just doesn't realize, is this is? I think we forget how young he is. And he doesn't realize, like, what Hayden could do. Yeah. Our bed's really hard. The constant one is. Or that he's going to behave like that because Casey wouldn't do that.

Yeah. You know, that sort of thing, you know? Yeah, exactly. So, yeah. He got a bit of a shouted, you know, when you're scared, you're like, ah! And he's like, oh, I didn't realize what I've done. Yeah. And then after you calm down.

I'm like, I'm sorry. You kind of, I'm really so overshating, but. Don't do that. explaining why. I've done that so many times. You know, when they're about to hurt themselves and you shower them to stop, but then they like freeze. Or I've done a moment when I've gone to shout

and I think actually don't shout it because I'm going to scare them in this moment. It's dangerous if I scare them. Yeah. They've got a knife in their hands and I don't want them to drop it on themselves. Exactly. Something like that, you know. Oh, dear. But that was a good, I've got to go through mine now. Go through yours. Some of ours were like joint memories.

Yeah, I was going to say as well... What else have you... Quite similar because we do a lot together, don't we do this? I think thanks for this podcast, to be honest. I think so. And we did make a pass. We've made more of a conscious effort the last year to two years to do more together. And that shows.

Yeah. To stick with doing stuff and making more of an effort to do stuff, whether it's us. Because we've done that. We've gone out a lot, which is me and you, all the four of us, which has been nice. Yeah. That has been really nice. Making that effort to do that because we live, I certainly do. I live for my children.

So, you know, everything we organise and think about and plan is always for the children. Yeah. But in that, we forget ourselves. Yeah. And you shouldn't. Yeah. You know, and it, it. Well, we did.

That's what wasn't on the list because we didn't take a phone. We did little The Rising's Christmas dinner. We did. The boys actually made it up. They did actually. We didn't even organise that. That was the boys. So that was nice.

Right. So, yeah, I've going to go through my phone. I'm obviously not as organised as Billy with her paper. That's using my, because my phone's really. record it. Oh yeah, cool. Okay, okay, I'll let you off. So yeah, very similar stuff. Obviously, we had, we had leads. I had, so yeah, I usually get visits from one of my best friends who used to live here and now she lived back in England. She usually comes over on like a random weekend, which is so nice because we can just get little girly weekends together.

So she came over in February, which was so nice. And then she was going to come again, I think, end of the year. But I think it was the time we were planning on going away for that week, you know, what it's like in the school holidays. So she came over, which was lovely. That one, though, I realised when she... I think she used to come in like the weekday or something like that. And this time she came on the weekend.

And I just felt like Lexi had a friend here. She took over my friend visited me, you know? I was like next time. You come in the week. She's at school. She's got your clothes. She's got your friends. She has.

She's got your clothes. Yeah. Not just mine. Yeah, so we had our camping. We've got a few different camping trips, to be fair, on here. Not just with yous. Morgan had his one and only year because we left a football team that we wasn't happy with in our local area.

It just became too business-like rather than for what the children, I feel, that a football club should be. So we left that, which resulted in him not being able to get into another team because of the time. So he had a year in the school football. which is football sal which is the I'm going to say hard floor that's the only thing I can think of.

I thought you were going to say like little kids No no like you know like hard floor Yeah so everyone probably knows what it is obviously I didn't really know that's the only way to explain it So we had a year that we're there with the school football which is a lot more relaxed obviously It's not so da-da which worried me Because I thought it was going to change

Just his mentality or perception and everything of it Or if it's interesting in it maybe Yeah because it's a funny age as well you know but he's not. He loves his football. He's dedicated to his football. And we joined a new team this year, not in our area, just out of our area. And I am so happy.

He's happy. I'm happy he's happy. It wasn't just him. It was actually him and another friend, which was probably a nice for him to be able to go into somewhere with someone. And a new school for him as well. So a big year for Morgan. A huge year. And the football he's just got straight into.

The children have been. lovely the coaches have been lovely it's just took him back to what it's all about you know um and yeah with the school uh that was that's obviously uh big big jump that lesson with the business like you did warn me but i was like i don't really get what you mean in case is not that interested about it being super serious at the moment yeah but yeah i get what you mean the business is like the coach was crap yeah paid two 300 credit so much money so much money like a hundred different pieces of kit that he really doesn't need at seven years old exactly and then yeah just being not actually trained and just left.

All these things that they offer when it's, you don't really. But even there's the coaching session. You're missing the basics. I could coach better than you. They missed the basics. Completely missed the basics. In case him really needs the basics,

because he's never played football. And he's just being left to do piggy in the middle. And while you take half of them off to go do a mini match, when half of them can't even play football. Yeah, no. It wasn't for me at all. It wasn't to be honest. Not only obviously the football side,

but generally, just broken promises and my child constantly being down or sad. And I was like, no, this is a fun. This is a hobby. Yeah. You know, so no, no, no. So, yeah, that was a big change. And it was a positive change because you never know.

It could be worse. Yeah. The right, if you're doing the right thing. Even like with the school situation. So I've put Morgan in a completely different school in a completely different area. Yeah. So that was a huge. And going to a secondary school anyway is a huge big step and change.

And this was even more. He could have been unhappy. It could have been terrible. Don't get me wrong. We've had our days where, you know, he has got a bit nervous or upset or he hasn't felt like going in for a day. But it's not because there's nasty people or the teachers he doesn't get on with or anything. It's nothing like that at all.

This is what we've had this conversation. It's actually just because it's different. But then anything would have been different because he's been different because he's been obviously junior school. Yeah. You know? It's a big change for you to go from junior school into senior school anyway.

And I think that's a big jump to be a big step. You're quite babyed in the younger school. And then you go into second school. And it's really... And they like treat you like you're five years older than you actually are in the space of one school year. And this is what I also love about this school is it's... What's the word in England?

I don't even know in Spanish now. But it's... values, I suppose, probably the thing, is when we, I think I said this before, when we went for the first meeting, I've got my next one at the beginning of the year. Not once did they really talk about subjects and education. It was all about just learning about each other,

what they get up to and how they feel, and if they're happy, and what's their home life like and what their school life, just everything. Yeah, that's good. It was so good. I think they actually asked more, and what he does in day to day, you know, like, you know, you get up, you do this, you do you go to football?

What days do you go football? So there was a thing, okay, so you go days on these football. So on the other days, that's when, if anything, you struggle with anything, you should go over your work then. Not you've got to do your work before you. It was, honestly, it was, it's been a good, it hasn't been smooth, obviously, but obviously we've had, it would normal. But then that's really good though, because kids that change schools,

move areas that have these big changes in life, that you don't notice it in the moment. But they're adults that are braver to try things, to take risks to go try new places and do things. And how are you comfort? Because when you're comfortable being uncomfortable, the world's your oyster. There's no limits when you're comfortable being uncomfortable.

But people that never do those things, that stay in the same school with all their friends all the way up, never move house, never move areas, never, you know, venture out. Venture out anywhere, even on weekends or weekends or. holidays, they end up being people that literally are very limited. You don't venture at life even when they're older, like you say. Because they, because when you're older, being uncomfortable was even worse. Your kids are adaptable and kids are resilient.

I'm scared to go ahead. Yeah, so now I make my children do it. You hypocrite. So my eldest became an adult, I suppose. Yes, it's one. 18. Yeah, not before breaking. arm obviously we had a break we had a breakage yeah um but yeah uh first toe as well he had

yeah so this was it so he we had that at the beginning of the year he fell off his bike saying fell off he slipped on oil that could have been so much worse yeah um so we had that that was obviously a breakage you know what it's like having a breakage in your house i don't know anyone's had anything like that but touch wood yeah it's quite uh difficult when you've got a child who does everything for themselves and then all of a sudden they can't do anything. They're very limited. You know what I mean? Well, yeah, he took to the point where he was very independent and now he's like,

can you take it here? Literally. Yeah, like, can you help put my jacket on? You know, things like that, you know? Especially the first week or two because it was just in agony. He couldn't move. Yeah. And he was, we kept having to go back because they were going to operate.

They weren't sure. Yeah, I remember. Just what's going on, you know? And then yes. So, yeah, he turned 18. He got his first tattoo, which is, huge actually. Looking at it now,

it's such a huge for his first tattoo. Yeah. Really? Yeah, it's his whole forearm. It is his whole forearm. However, he is 18, to be fair.

Yeah. And it was something that he actually mentioned years ago. And I said if you still want a tattoo or the same sort of when you're old at 18, you can have it

because you clearly want it. Yeah. I think he's one of his friends' mom said the same and I was like, I'll go with that. Yeah. No, it's true because at that age, what you like changes a lot

and things go through trends. It is a trend. It's not because he likes it but also where it is is a trend this is how I feel. So I was talking about that maybe not, it might have been us or maybe just a bit older than us

the trend was at the bottom of the back here. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Then it was here. Yeah. Then it was here. Yeah. You know, you've got different... It is. You go through trends of here. Yeah, yeah. You know, them sort of things. Of what the tattoo is.

The tie. Yeah. And where it is. And I feel at the moment it's here. Yeah. Because at least he's got something like I say that he's wanted for a while. And it's really meaningful. Really, really meaningful. Yeah. And like a little bit like mine and even like yours.

There's so much meaning in it. And he really did think about it. It had the help of the family and obviously the professionals at the Toshar, which are fab. But yeah, he smashed it out. They couldn't believe how well he sat. Well, obviously. I think that helps, though, having meaning behind it. because I don't regret any of my tattoos.

And I have my tattoos ideas for a while before I get them done. Whereas my sister, she's an impulse. Like, I fancy it now. I'm going to get it done now. Well, I did that when I, when I'm going to. Well, yeah, you've got a few of those. Before you're a big meaningful one. Yeah.

So it was easy. They shouldn't have tattooed you anyway. You were underage. You were underage. Just to go, oh, I like that. Can I have that? Yeah. I even did a henna and still got the stupid thing after.

It was a Chinese symbol. Like I really know what it. Yeah, but that was popular then. Exactly. There. I don't even know it's there or there, but it's somewhere. So yeah, it is true. But it's definitely got mean and he's so happy with it.

I think it's lovely. It's a strange feeling, I have to say, because obviously, anyway, as your children get older, that in them stages, it can only be, it could only be a summer. I think I've said it, it could only be a summer. And that change in a summer is just so big. It's scary, you know.

So, yeah, Mason's definitely gone on, gone, like gone to that other stage, you know, without even realizing you just do. But Cason's, I wouldn't say necessarily gone to a different stage in terms of who he is yet. But just visually, like, it's coming up on my memories from, like, a year ago. And, yeah, like, he had, like, no teeth. And now he's got the big adult front teeth. And, like, now he's got glasses. He looks. And he slims out because he's got taller.

So, like, from a year ago. He looks completely different. Yeah, I bet. Like so grown up. It's like scary. It is and it's just that little, could be just six months, nine months, you know. Mitch got his love of his life in his.

It really is. I'm not even joking. Well, when are he like in them storms when we were camping and he's calling Mason like, Mason? Can you make sure my bike's okay? Send your child out in extreme weathers to make sure your bike. So yeah, the love is like his bike.

He's motorbike. He's years, this is like his dream bike that he's wanted from a kid. Yeah, yeah. And because of lots of different reasons, he hasn't had one. And yeah, and it just felt like the right time. And it came up and he works hard. Yeah. He works hard enough to do it.

And he deserves it. So he went and got it. That's nice. My God, do we know he's got it? Jeez. If you got it, flawn it. Oh, every, every, every, every fit of, you know, like if I had like an, like a storage box or I had like a nice little cupboard or I had a nice little area that was a space that's now been taken up. I've got a, Mike, you've seen the top of my stairs, no?

No. I have an area in my house that's now a wall of helmets. I've got like, oh, it's just a real. Lexi's got a matching jumper. She has, Lexi's got a new helmet for Christmas. She got a helmet? It's pink and black. Oh, wow.

And she's also got a plaque with a bow on the top that goes. Yeah, yeah. So it's taken over our lives a little bit. It's not just Mitch's life. It's taken over. But I am so proud because, one, he deserves it, you know, just because he works hard and he doesn't, you know, like, do much. I know it sounds silly, but, you know what? He goes to the gym, that's his thing.

Yeah, his gym is his thing, but, like, say, everything else he does. Oh, he never wants for anything. He never really wants anything, you know, things like that. So it's one thing. thing that I think he always dreamed of. You know, it's one of those things. And it's nice to not wait till you're 60 to do those things. Exactly.

Like, yeah, you could have kept that money. Yeah, you could have ended up spending it on whatever. But actually, sometimes it is nice to just spend it while you're young and enjoy those things. I completely agree. He deserves it. He's at a space. And he actually uses it as well. And he'll go for drive.

You know, and he's now actually got, so actually part of the gym, which is really strange, is there's a few of them who've, who've made friends in there from so many different, you know, not just all English, but he's the only English person. Okay. And they're basically all made friends from the gym. Weirdly enough, they're all into motorbike. That's weird.

So it's like a Sunday thing where they all go out and they go on a ride and I just love it. That's nice because otherwise would he use it as much? No, that he's discovering places where he would never have been before. Yeah. He's learning Spanish, which is great because obviously they, they all speak Spanish. Wow. So they've got this group chat.

That's good for him to like push himself out of his comfort zone. So as much as obviously. And why go on a ride on it sometimes too? Yeah. Yeah. Bring back memories. It does. It's a lot faster than where from our one.

It's not a motor. Like he has to actually tap me when he's going to go. Otherwise I would definitely fly off the bat. I need to hold on to go. But it was funny when we went to, to check out the venue for our first women's event. And you guys pulled off on your bike. I was like,

Yeah, we did go on the bike. It doesn't give me like proper memory. It is nice. It's nice just to get out. We're me and Liam, because we haven't been on a moped or anything since we were kids. And when we went to, when we were on a cruise and we got off in the Bahamas,

we rented a moped for the deli and we just drove around the moped. Like say on the back of it, like we were kids. It does. It does. It does. It was lovely. Because I feel that their memories were out. I'm so glad that we had that.

Yeah. I am so glad because our, one of our best. my best friend, her daughter for Christmas, do you know? Her daughter for Christmas has got a theory test for a bike. Oh, really? Yeah. Oh, no. So I was like, oh my God.

Wow, the next generation has started. Exactly. So I felt like that when Mason did it because actually there was so many of them with them, I was like, oh my God, it feels like when we were younger because we were everywhere. Yeah. You know, I even found myself looking like I'm going to know the people. But obviously at the time when Mason was, we did because obviously they were his friends. And I absolutely loved it when they'd all pull up, you know, outside.

I'm like, yeah, you know. That's lovely. But yeah, so, so, yeah, that was a purchase to the family. We visited where we were, we are, we are getting married. You did. You went to Gibraltar. Yeah, which is coming. When you're going to do the legal bit?

Yeah, so. That is the wedding. Yeah, yeah. That is your wedding, yeah. So that was lovely. So we will, obviously. Celebration bit to be confirmed. I've, still.

But Gibral was. booked. Still. Don't worry, people. We'll have somewhere. We have to. We have to. Again, more camping trips with the family, which was nice because they usually just visit.

Yeah. You know, like come up like you for the day or something like that. But actually they came and they camped with their own bits and bobs and it was lovely. Can you influence in everyone? I know. Well, if I could live on a campsite, I probably would. Well, we did wander around and we were like, right, this is our pack. We don't.

When we're old. We're going to get little camp, what is it called, static caravans next to each other. I actually, I actually, I've been camping loads actually. I used to say that when I was younger actually. Me and Hannah, my auntie would like, yeah, we'll get caravan matching caravans, we'll live together. Well, I still stand on that, which I wish we would have done it years ago. I still stand on that. I would wish that we would all buy a huge bit of land and build and have our own areas big enough.

On the ground. So you, so you'd have to get a quad. to go to Bill's house, but we're on the same land. Yeah. That would be my wish, okay? Yeah. Just putting it out there. Lots of, so we had the Mayfair, which is quite a big.

It's the Seviana's for Lexi. Yeah. And that's such a big celebration for her. And I absolutely love it. I always say that I'm going to go in a flamenco dress to the celebration. So they've got the cassettes and things like that. And I am. This year, to 2026, I am going in a flamenco dress.

Yeah. Well, I think Hayden's going to be a bit older now. I'm going to drag the boys along and I want to do more of those. It's such a good celebration. I really want to. And cultural things. I was just about to say, why are we not? I mean, what I would talk about obviously later with just New Year and what we do in Spain on New Year, I never knew.

Yeah. I've lived here over half my life. Yeah. You know, and it's same. So yeah. So things like that. So we took two trips in the summer that were part of the kids' birthday presents. So we took the younger ones back to London to London to.

watch Westam. Yeah. And had a fab trip, did all the London things with them, which was lovely. We were so lucky with the weather as well. Yeah. So we had such a good time there. Obviously, I've never been to a West Ham match either. Yeah.

And they were against, it was against Tottenham, which is obviously like a rival thing. Yeah, yeah. So it was, and we did, to be fair, we had someone with, not with us, behind us, who was really shouting those bantery things out, which is what I wanted for Morgan. You don't want trouble. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's just about, you know, it was like, stand up. If you ain't sotna, stand up.

Just things like that, you know what I mean? And it was brilliant. Ian Lim used to do loads of football games together. You did, you did that. Yeah, we used to go back to Derby a lot. That's it. The sheet. Yeah. The RAM.

That's it. Yeah. We used to go back quite a bit and we'd go to quite a few games. I've got pictures, even when I was pregnant with Kaysen and I bought his t-shirt, like the little RAM t-shirt thing. I remember you. Derby football kit. Yeah, yeah. He had. So, but Case's, the first football game he went to was watching Messi in, in Orlando. And what an experience.

In Orlando. And that's just gone straight over his energy. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Liam's like, come on. It's messy. We are in LA. wherever. Miami, I don't know where are they are. To be fair, he actually, I don't know how, knew, like, the name Messi and Ronaldo, like, just a couple of the big ones. So it's nice. He's nice that he actually know who? Or do you know what? I watched actually when I was in England because being at my moment, mum's, we chilled quite a bit and I was having like, say, sleepy cuddles with Hayden. I watched Bend It Like Beckham. Ah! I watched some really, I watched Bring It On. I watched Bend It Like Beckham, some really old school movies.

They're the best times to do that. I think that's the best bit of the in-between bit for me. Yeah, in between Christmas and New Year where you could just... It probably helped that he was poorly in a way, that you couldn't do much. Yeah, because I would have just put him down to a nap and I would have come upstairs and we would just talk. Exactly that. We had, so my mum and dad always do a huge Jubilee.

party. Very, what's the word? Patriotic. That's it. Very. Very, very. So they had a huge pie, which was nice because the kids as well. My mom get some t-shirt and glasses and hats and whatever and all the songs, old songs. I only knew because I've grown up with them. Yeah, yeah. So that I went for my first experience of wedding dress shopper with my mom and Lexi. Which was the experience for them. But now I'm obviously so glad I did it. Yeah.

Because it did actually without realising give me a little bit of a start of what I do like and don't like. Yeah. I then obviously went to a second dress fit in in a different area. Yeah. Organised by the girls. And I actually said yes to the dress. You did. I haven't got it yet. Yeah.

It was funny actually because when we had a recent episode where you were like, I hate shopping. Yes. When you were complaining about Primarch the other week. And the lady with the shop, she commented, well, you didn't hate dress shopping. No, I didn't. Well, I didn't pick anything. I just stood there. No, I didn't hate Josh shopping.

But I did, I did panic when she said, okay, go and choose. I was like, me. So yeah, that was great. I suggest to a dress. I'm really excited to get it, obviously. I think because it's still a bit of a surprise. Yeah. You've changed, you've ordered one, but you've added and changed things on it.

And it was so big that you didn't get the full. I could only get the full effect as we changed the dress on me, obviously, because it was quite big. It's still a bit of a surprise for you. Yeah. I just want to talk about this day because I just think it's lovely that we can do it. I went to a family day, sports day thing at my niece's school. It was just a day that both her parents were working

and happened that it was on a Friday so I could do it. And it was so lovely to do it because you always try and obviously do it for your own children, but it's something that you never really get to do for your nieces or nephews or whatever. So when I was asked to do it and obviously that occurred, I just loved it, a little face when I walked through the door. You know, introducing me to all her friends, me getting to know her teacher, the friends in the class.

Yeah, it was really nice. And then what was even better was at the end of the year, there was a Christmas workshop thing opportunity. The way the parents were asked to go and help in the class. Well, I couldn't go because I was working. I'm very good with being able to obviously shut my day off. But it just wouldn't work and it wasn't right. So I asked her auntie to do it and she was free. So she got to have that experience with her as well.

That's nice. So, yeah, and I've got that decoration that they made on the tree and then she's got one as well. So, yeah, it was nice. I just remember being the kids and like whenever anyone came into the school, it's such a weird, like crazy, excited. It's like seeing the future outside of school. Yeah, it's just one of them weird things, but it's so fast.

It is, isn't it? It is. It's like, oh my God, there is my school. I remember when Liam took Hayden when he was quite a small into Kaysen's school and then he's got pictures of all the kids surrounding and he was, yeah, like showing off. Yeah. I'm not the same.

I think I've got with Lexi, which was in nursery. And it was Grandparents Day. And they went and, oh, yeah, it is nice. It's just a weird thing, isn't it? Having someone out, you know, your normal school friends. And then someone outsider comes in, you know. Yeah. So it was brilliant.

Morgan had, with obviously his new school, his first weekend trip away. Okay. which any of much of other children I probably wouldn't have been a bit nervous about but Morgan's a very more home boy he'll go out all night but he'll want to come home and go to sleep

in his own room in his own house So sleeping out Certain people he's okay But even then he would If he could he'd ring and say Can you come and get me sort of thing So that was a that was a bit of a worry Worrying moment

Like I'm not driving four hours Wherever you are to come and get you sort of thing Well I would but I don't want to Yeah And but obviously he was absolutely you finally had a fab time and then the experience of that they didn't they didn't take phones. I remember you saying yeah. And I just loved it.

The fact that there was that many children for that long, two, three days, whatever it was with no at all. Not even just, okay, when you finish your activities, you get back to the cabin, there's your phones. No. No, nothing. So that was. Well, now you said that. This year was the first time Lexi slept at ours.

Yes, it was. And she hasn't stopped asking to see. And yes, we're currently organising another one. I think they are right now, aren't they? Yeah, we, yeah, so that was... And Cason's at your house. Yeah, he is. Without me for the first time.

I had to persuade him to just shoot... He thinks my house is quite chaotic, doesn't it? Because every time he's there, is all of us there? Which, do you know what? Before he was born, I probably went, yeah, my house is chaotic. But it's actually not now. And it is, it is because every time he comes to the house, we are having a party or something's going on.

So it's full of people, full of children, Yeah. Everything's going on. And it is. It's chaotic. So every time I do ask him to come and he's like, no, no, your house is too chaotic. And I was like, what? Actually, your house is more chaotic than mine now.

Yeah. So he actually agreed to come, didn't it? And he did. It is. It's the first time we've left him at your house and I'm not there. Yeah. So it's nice. Yeah.

It's like, good luck, Mitch. I know. We organised it. We always do this. I always, poor Mitch, bless him. So yeah, that was there. Obviously, we had summer. A lot of our summers, to be honest, are at home because we try.

So, again, it's summer, obviously, the summers are birthdays, although I've obviously very quickly gone over them, Mason turned 18. Morgan left his school. So we had that graduation, which is such a big thing, isn't it? And so emotional. And then when we start our summer, we, that day, obviously, that they finished school this year, Morgan also had his birthday. So we had graduation, he finished school.

We had his birthday, so we had all the friends around. They went to the trampoline park. And for us, usually with summer, although, because we had these trips going to England, we try anyway just to try and make the most of where we are. You know, like rather than go away for a week, we're just trying to do day trips because of make the most of what we've got around us. Especially summer price, like summer prices is ridiculous. People save all year for these summer holidays, but we've got it.

We've got it on our doorstep and we don't. So that is actually a really. good point that you started to do. Yeah. So we really try and, exactly that. We really, really try and do that. Our next summer trip was with Mason. We went to watch 50 Cent. So that was for his 18th birthday. And it was just you three. And it was just us three, which we haven't been just us three for a very long time. Yeah. And it was nice. It was really nice. It was very different because also we haven't been away like that with Mason as an adult, if you know what I mean. But it was really good. Loved it. Yeah. Because I think you, you, when you've got multiple

kids you do think oh like I'll grab an hour or two with them like on their own and stuff if you can I but actually going up proper like away trip is great exactly it was it was it was lovely it was something that he loved and we love too so that was brilliant um it's hard to get same likes isn't it on that on that sort of age yeah thing um so yeah and then obviously summer anyway you find alize and everything's elix said a last flamenco show and football tournaments and whatever else um summer hit We did all those different trips, which was absolutely amazing. Then it was obviously back to school, back to try and routine. And I don't think I got motivated for the whole.

Remember I was moment? I just don't feel motivated. I think it's the heat. Got to September, October. I'm not motivated. It's not the heat. Oh, well, it's nearly Christmas hours. I'll give up.

Exactly. I'm just going to wait for a new year. Yeah. But I think that's it, really. I'm just going through my bits. Yeah. So, so many bits. The rest of them are very.

similar. Yeah, I was just about said the rest of ours are very similar. We obviously went back to my hometown of Birmingham as well to celebrate because my dad had a 75th birthday so we had one here surprise and we had one there.

That was lovely. It's always good. Because the kids don't normally go back to Birmingham, do they? Not really. I can't remember really when we went back. No, not really now. Yeah, that is one trip we do need to do next year

is take the kids to Derby. Yeah, so that was it. So it was nice for the kids to be with their cousins. or some of their cousins who they see. Yeah, so it was nice. And then we got back and obviously it was December and that's when the tree went up

and then we've been doing all our bits and bobs together. So full year, not realise it. And actually, like I say, half of the stuff doesn't get put on my phone because... So we probably forgot half our memories. Yeah, yeah. So yeah, very good year. Yeah.

Yeah. And again, that could be every year. I just don't really go over it. So I'm quite glad you asked me to go over your... to sit and go through it. Yeah. No, it's nice to recap because you realise

how much you've actually done and especially when like this time of year when you start to get hard in yourself or you start to think about how much you want to change for the following year.

It's like, actually I do a pretty good job. Yeah, we do a lot actually. You know, but you think you don't do a lot personally. We do pretty well. Yeah. So pat on the back. Everyone give yourselves a pat on the back.

And if not give yourself kick up the bum. Yeah, one of the two. But no, I think we'll We'll pause there and we will come back with part two and we'll talk more about, yeah, New Year's resolutions, the traditions for Spain. Because that was, that was a lot. That was a lot. Like you say, we didn't realise how much.

But it's nice to, rather than list it off, go into a bit of detail. Yeah. And also, people would have remembered these anyway because where we do, like, you know, these weekly hatchups here and there. Some of those, we spoke about. They have been full on conversations in some of them. So it's probably nice for the, for the view. and listeners to, you know, to be remembered of these conversations. Yeah, exactly, exactly. So thank you for listening.

Yeah. And we'll be back with Pat. Thank you again for a year's worth of supporting us and continuing to, yeah, listening week and week out. And yeah, we'll come back with Part 2. I'll see you soon.