Is this the best summer ever?

I loved being in London last summer – the buzz created by the Olympics was fantastic – but this summer is definitely my favourite ever. Not just because of the Royal Baby and Andy Murray’s Wimbledon Win. Everyone just seems so happy, commuting is easier, the shops and streets are empty in the day and the bars spilling over in the evening. Of course, the Sunshine Factor is definitely helping. 

All you ever want for your kids is to give them those long, carefree summers that you had when you were a child, and this summer, I think we’ve finally cracked it. The photos I’m sharing in this post pretty much sum up why I feel this has been the best summer ever.

We’re very lucky to have been on two fabulous mother-and-son bonding holidays, and seen cities we’ve always wanted to see; but also, because No 1 Son is now at an age where I don’t have to worry about childcare, during the time we’ve been home, we’ve both felt incredibly free. I loved our summers when he was little, of course, but I always had that awful guilt about leaving him at a club or with my mum to go to work. Now I don’t have that stress, and it’s so liberating.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’ve spent many happy hours with friends and family, we’ve enjoyed barbecues and meals al fresco, he’s had his mates (and girlfriend) over, there have been copious cocktails and baking and dog-walking and it’s been about as laidback as you can possibly get. 

Also, perhaps, it’s because I’m in such a good place at the moment. I’m doing a job I absolutely love, I’ve nearly finished one novel, and this blog is definitely going in the right direction.

 

The garden is looking a little neglected and the house is in complete disarray, but I’m so chilled out it’s going to stay like that until September.

Not even wrangling with the Tax Credits office is spoiling my good mood (well, at least, not at the moment).

So what do you think? Is this the Best Summer Ever?