I haven't been much around here this past year. I didn't really feel like writing for the most part. Or couldn't really sit in a chair long enough to write a decent post. Not even a good one, but a decent one. No, I don't feel sorry for myself. I needed the break.
2017 was full of life and life surprises for us. It's time for a little summary here as well. I think. Cause I don't think I'm one for summaries. I'll try, though.
Most importantly, our family got a new member. Our baby girl was born in mid-October. (Photo credit: Marta Obiegla)
You might think that having a first child changes your life completely. Having a second might still change it. But adding a third isn't that difficult? Well, I can't agree with that. The dynamics of our family definitely changed. Adjusting our daily routines to include all three kiddos with their personal needs, needs to spend time with us, yet taking care of an infant who still does not have a stable daily routine is a bit of a challenge. Wd're still working on that. But she's healthy, she's growing, she's smiling, she's getting more and more interested in the surrounding world. What more could we want? Both older kids adore the little one. And tbeh suddenly seem to have grown so much! Especially Paulinka. Now no longer a baby, but an older sister. I know she's almost five now. But where did that time go?
When it comes to travels, we didn't really travel much. Pregnancy usually does it to me. And this one wasn't that much different. But it doesn't mean we stayed home the whole year, as the quiet atmosphere in this blog might suggest.
In January, we spent a week in a hotel just off Ustka, Poland. We spent our time enjoying ourselves, going on walks, swimming in the pool, playing on playground and taking part in the activities organised by the hotel for that winter break.
In March we (K. and I) spent a little longer weekend in London. We tried to see as much as we could considering my (not really only morning) sickness. Obviously, we went to see the Buckingham Palace (it was raining and there were some co struction works going on, but I just had to go there while in Londo ...), We went to see the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben at night, we strolled down the narrow streets of the City, we went to see Saint Paul's Cathedral (but didn't get inside), we walked the Millennium Bridge waiting for the dementors to destroy it (they didn't come, though). We visited the Tower (K. was there for the first time and I could compare hos much has changed over the last twenty years). We also went to Greenwich Foyal Observatory. Same story as with the Tower. We ate lunch in China Town, had a and in the Italian Corner, visited Lego Store and Nickelodeon Store, got lost among all tbe colourful candies in M&M's world and visited so many bookstores and used books shops that I can't even count. It was a really good trip!
Also in March, I went on a single day business trip to Stockholm. Apart from the morning business meetings that I had to attend, I still had some time for a slow walk down the Swedish capital streets before my flight back to Poland. It was an exhausting day considering my state, but the weather was warm and sunny and I really enjoyed the day.
Me and the kids, together with my parents, spent the beginning of May in Mayorca, Spain. We had a week fu of delicious food and lots of fun. We didn't see much. The weather wasn't too perfecf, either. But I went to see the capital of the island, Palma de Mallorca. It was a really good week.
In June, our guys went on a karate camp. (this photo isn't mine. One of the camp participants took it. Sadly, I don't know who.)
In July we went to see Frombork, Poland. We also walked part of the Polish Camino trail.
In August, we enjoyed ourselves running through the mazes in Bliziny, Poland. We love that place and try to be there every year. The kids left us for the last two weeks of the month and went with my parents to Crete. In the meantime, we visited Sobieszewo (which actually is a part if Gdansk, but you have to leave Gdansk to get there...) and started preparing the house for the arrival of our youngest girl.
In September school year started again. And my parents bought an apartment in Hel. Our kids love the place. I spent the first nine years of my life in Hel. Now my kids are spending at least one weekend a month there. Artur is there with my parents right now. Paulinka was there with them, but got ill and got back home. So we also visited Hel this year.
And that's basically it. Not much, but not little enough to keep me so quiet on the blog.
We're starting new travel adventures in January, though. We're taking our little bunch to Egypt for a little more sunlight. The rest of the year, including the summer holidays, isn't planned yet. Year 2018 is going to be full of family events, though.
Bring it on, 2018!
