Project 365 – January 2026

I wasn’t sure if I was going to do this again this year! It was such a fun project, but at the same time, I got a little redundant with writing up my day each day. I also feel like we do a ton, and this really highlighted how much we do pack into our lives. I absolutely love having a packed life with so many adventures – Robin calls us an Adventure Family, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. In the end, I wanted to continue on and do another year, though I do have a feeling (and know for a fact) that this year is going to be a bit different to last, with so many fantastic plans in store. There is just so much going on, but I do love sharing our day to day in these sort of diary entries, each month. At the bottom of this post you can check out some fantastic bloggers who are also taking on this challenge, though some post weekly or even daily!

January 1st – Hot Pot to start the year

We started off the day pretty early, as we watched the fireworks at midnight and made a hot pot feast to ring in the new year, then went to bed. In the morning, however, everyone was quite tired! We had a bit of a lazy day, with VR, Pokemon playing on the Switch 2, etc. I ended up going into London after dinner to visit a friend of mine. It was just a normal, slow start to the new year.

January 2nd – Arcade

With our kids ages, it’s hard to find activities that they all enjoy together – but we are trying! So, today we had a normal wake up, lounge around playing video games, Kai went to the gym. Then, we all went to Gravity Max to have a bit of an arcade day. We have our cards from the last time we went, so ended up with over 10k tickets, which is fantastic. We then headed home, and I had found some popcorn that you can pop on a little burner, so we had fun popping that and trying it out! I think this year is going to be a year of fun foods.

January 3rd – Spa Day

Today was a Saturday that we had nothing really planned. Amelia finished the main game in Pokemon Z-A, on her Switch, which Dann and I have been watching a long with. Robin played a bit of VR and Kai hung out doing whatever 15 year old boys do. At midday, Dann and I had lunch and then we went to the spa, as starting the year off with a spa day is exactly what is needed. The spa was fantastic and we spent several hours there, before going back home and going to bed.

January 4th – Pokemon Go

Today was a Pokemon and catch up day. I spent a lot of the day doing some work – getting my images organised for my second book was the main task. Dann and I watched some movies and ate some fun hot pot. In the afternoon, we went out for Pokemon Go, before I had to head home and get some work meetings done (on a Sunday!!) It was a bit of a lazy day, but a good one.

January 5th – Back to Work

January 5th felt like the most Monday Monday ever, but it’s the first of the year, really, so that tracks. I had a lot of work meetings and a lot of work to do. Dann and I did a big shop and I made beef stew for the DnD people. It also snowed a bit, so I went out and took pictures in the snow, while going to Max Monday for the Pokemon event. A bunch of friends came over for DnD, which is always a good time, and I did get a lot of my to-do list done.

January 6th – Back to School

Everyone went back to school today, and as Kai and Robin are at the other house, I woke up early to make them lunches to drop in. I walk to Kai’s school, so took a few pictures on the way there. On the way back, it started properly snowing, and Dann took this cute picture of me taking my own picture in the snow. It was a tabletop evening, so I made gnocchi mac n cheese with all the toppings. We played Match Me If You can, which was a fun matching game, and everyone stayed until nearly 1am! I then went right to bed.

January 7th – Average Wednesday

This day started just like yesterday. I woke up, made two lunches, and walked Kai’s to his school. I got some great photos of the sunrise, which our local newspaper used as their Facebook header – how lovely. I then pressed on with work until the evening, Dann made lunch today, when we went out to Pokemon Go. Raid hour was quite good, it was a food bank collection day, before we went to our movie. We ate dinner at King Du with a bunch of friends, then all went to see Avatar, which felt a lot like the last Avatar. Dann wants to see more movies this year, so they will be coming up a lot.

January 8th – Another Movie?

Today was much like yesterday! Woke up, made food, walked to Kai’s. I took some less fun pictures than yesterday, but otherwise it was fine. I then worked until the evening, when Dann and I went to the movies to see Marty Supreme, which was very chaotic but good. I had a good time doing just a little date with Dann. We then headed home and went to bed.

January 9th – Back to Clubs

Today we did the lunches, dropped them off at schools, and then worked until afterschool time. The weather was very rainy today, so I grabbed Robin and we headed straight home. I made some snacks, then she went off to Preform, Kai to the gym, and Amelia and I hung out playing Pokemon Z-A. She is working through the DLC. I had some fun meals planned for this weekend, so was excited to make dinner and then see Amelia drumming. Robin was pumped after her Prefrom club, as she is starting a new play. We also had these funny Japanese jelly cats after dinner, which everyone thought was so silly!

January 10th – Pokemon Go Raid Day

Today was a slow Saturday – which is just what we all needed. We got up late, ate breakfast, and then Amelia and Robin played video games until Raid Day after lunch. We then all went out, with Kai heading to the gym, and did a bunch of the raids. It was very fun seeing friends! Robin, Dann and her friend went back home early, as it was a bit cold, and Amelia and two of her friends stayed out with me and the group. At the end of the raids, we all went back home, and I made dinner for the extra three kids, which was a lot of fun! They all hung out and played games until bedtime, then everyone went home and we went to bed.

January 11th – Sunday Escape Room

Sunday Robin got up very early, which was a surprise! We both went downstairs and I started my day. There were a few extra things to cook today; Amelia needed a refresh on her banana bread and Robin wanted to try a new soup for breakfast, so I got started on those. We sort of lounged around for the start of the day. Amelia and Robin did some painting for the art open in our town, and they both played some video games. Amelia got her drumming done nice and early – she normally does this after dinner. We all ate lunch, Kai didn’t end up going to the gym as his mate wasn’t going today, and we all headed to an escape room in Lakeside as it’s the year of escape rooms. This one was just OK! Afterwards, we went to TGIFridays for dinner, which all three kids really wanted to go to, before heading home for baths / showers ahead of Monday.

January 12th – Busy Monday

This was a particularly busy Monday, getting everyone ready for school and out the door before starting work. I focused hard on getting work done today, and then soon it was time for the school run pick up! I went early and did my first litter pick of the year outside Robin’s school, which felt good, before collecting her and heading to Geek Retreat to play a new card game that we were gifted to review and for a gift guide at Christmas time. Robin was very excited! Dann headed home early for Kai’s parent teacher conferences, which are digital, and I joined for some of the more important subjects when I got back with Robin and Amelia. Kai went to the gym. He had his interview for his college today too, so it was just a lot! We then started dinner, as it was DnD and watched the final movie in the Night at the Museum series, which Amelia and Robin very much enjoyed. Our kids went to bed, and I cleaned up.

January 13th – Pokemon and Friends

It’s been so rainy lately in England! Today I woke up and had a rainy walk to drop of Kai’s lunchbox before zipping over to Robin’s to drop off hers. We had some errands to run in the morning, then it was right into work. Work was very boring today, lots to do before next week as it’s an event week. In the evening, Dann and I went to Spotlight Hour and caught loads of Pokemon with friends, before heading to Geek Retreat for a snack and board games while we waited for our movie. As it was still raining, we didn’t want to be outside! We then watched Hamnet, which had our friend Emily’s bird Rico (who we previously flew), in it! Emily told us all about the various scenes she was hidden in and what they cut. It was a sad film! We then went home and headed to bed.

January 14th – a long day

Today started off like a normal day. I packed up Kai and Robin’s lunch, and it was still raining. I headed to Kai’s school, but it was so rainy, so Dann picked me up and we drove to Robin’s school. The whole reason we are dropping off Robin’s lunch is because she wasn’t eating when she wasn’t provided a lunch – and this was explained to both households. This isn’t the first time this has happened, though last time her other house started giving her lunch and then just.. stopped. When we pulled up, I could see the other parent waiting, staring at the school, but not with any kids around. I felt like it was a trap, so Dann got out and brought the lunch in – and of course they started screaming and following him, which was a lot. We then had to have a meeting with the school and arrange a meeting with the police about the incident – and got a bunch of very stupid emails about how we are bad people for… feeding children. We were told that the other parent had no idea we had been doing this (which for Kai, had been over a year?), absolutely wild. The rest of the day was sort of unpacking and understanding next steps – which is also a lot! We got some work done, headed to Raid Hour in Pokemon Go, and then went to see Bone Temple with our friends, which was a bit loud for me, but had good moments. It was just a long, troublesome day.

January 15th – Boring Day

Today was fairy boring, we got up, packed lunches and dropped them off as normal! I took some photos on my walk to Kai’s school. We then headed to the police station for our verbal report and to start next steps after yesterday – which was exhausting – before doing some little errands up town. We then went shopping, planned out the menu, and headed home. Amelia, Robin and Kai came home after school, which then had some big talks over what had happened, as court was being threatened now via email, so it became a bigger conversation. Everyone is on the same page thought (thankfully). It just becomes a point where bullies need to not be just allowed to threaten people into whatever they want, especially when it’s not what everyone else wants. We had a dinner and headed to bed ahead of school tomorrow!

January 16th – Cupcake Class

Fridays and Mondays are the longest days of the week for us! This Friday we woke up, got everyone ready and off to school, and then I went straight to work. I have a lot of writing to do over the next few days so really need to get on that. In the afternoon, Dann made a really delicious lunch. I went to pick up Robin, did my second litter pick of the year, which was a much longer one of the general area, then grabbed her and headed home. We actually got a ride home from one of the other moms at the school, who offered, instead of waiting for Dann to grab us – what a lovely thing! At home, Robin got ready for her Perform class and I got dinner prepped as we were having a bit of an early dinner. Kai went to the gym, Robin to her club, and Amelia and I stayed home and played some Animal Crossing. I made a new soup for dinner for Robin, the soup tester, and we had some sushi with it (as it was wonton soup), before Amelia and I headed to our cupcake class! This time it was highland cow theme, which was so much fun. It’s lovely to get to spend one on one time with Amelia like this and we always have such a good time. We then headed home and I went right to bed, if I am honest.

January 17th – Out to Lunch

Today, we all got up, got everyone ready, and then bummed around playing video games in the morning. Robin was on VR, Amelia on Animal Crossing, and Kai and Dann were playing some strategy game together. Once our kids were at their other house, we headed out to a lunch at Cote we had been invited to, to review. It was very delicious and in a town we don’t visit often, so we had a walk about there. The weather held, and then we headed home, watched some movies (and I did some writing) before heading off to bed in the evening. It was a cozy evening in, exactly what was needed.

January 18th – London bound

Sunday was a bit of an interesting one, as I woke up and did a bunch of work ahead of the week, since we were going to be out in London. I then went into London early to hang out with my friend! We went out to lunch, walked around London and chatted a bunch. Dann stayed in our home town to run Pokemon Go, which I had not realized was on when I planned my day – but he had a good time walking around with our group and leading them. I then went to badge pick-up for the Pocket Gamer event happening tomorrow, before going to dinner with a different friend and Dann. We all had pasta, before heading into Chinatown to have fun desserts. Then, we went to the pre-event party, where we mingled and networked for a bit before Dann and I dipped off to go back home.

January 19th – Pocket Gamer and a Show

Today was a busy day! We woke up, dropped off lunches to both schools, and then headed straight into London for Pocket Gamer. When we got there, we got our understandings of the venue, then Dann launched into his meetings and I bumbled around networking until my event in the afternoon. I run a fringe event at Pocket Gamer Connects, which went extremely well, but was time consuming of course. Afterwards, I did some work on my computer for another job, then Dann and I headed to the O2 where Robin was preforming in Young Voices. There were nearly 9,000 kids there, which is SO many! It was wonderful hearing them all sing and we got to see Robin dancing away (through binoculars, they were so tiny in the stands), before we headed to the Pocket Gamer Day 1 Party for dinner and drinks. After eating our fill, we then headed back home.

January 20th – Pocket Gamer Day 2

Today, we got up even earlier somehow, dropped off lunches, then headed into London. My fringe event started very early in the morning, so we had to get things done! It went very well again today, and then I mingled around the venue, did some computer work and meetings, before presenting some awards on stage. Once the show was over, Dann and I helped with pack down, and then we headed off to the staff dinner. This was very good and a fun way to end the event, as everyone got to see and talk to each other. Dann and I then headed home and went right to bed, as it was such a long week already.

January 21st – Toy Fair

Now, you may think, “you must be done with events” nope. Today, we woke up, dropped off lunches to both schools, and then – you guessed it – headed into London. Dann’s company had a big, all hands on meeting with all of the management level employees as they had some of the overseas partners visiting for the event. I went straight to Toy Fair, where I started in meetings about toys and board games for 2026. In the early afternoon, Dann arrived and we did some meetings together, before the other owner of Big Boss Battle made an appearance. Dann went off to a meeting and I attended some with the other owner, then we all met up for one of the Toy Fair afterparties afterwards. It was a fun night! All three of us then went out for dinner, which was lovely, and spoke about some plans for B3’s anniversary this year. Dann and I then took the extremely long trip home today, as the Central Line was down, before crashing in bed.

January 22nd – Finally, nothing.

Today was a nothing day! I woke up, got lunches packed, and we dropped them off. Then, I hooked down into work. There was so much work to do, so I just wanted to get it done. We had hot pot for dinner, which Dann made, that I very much enjoyed and then I went right back to work. It’s just a big day of work, really, but that’s okay because we needed the bits of rest and the bits of work.

January 23rd – Busy Friday!

Today we dropped off lunches, and then grabbed Amelia as she had no school. She did have these parent teacher meetings, but didn’t want to go, so Dann and I went instead. She wasn’t feeling very well at all. She did end up having an appointment in the afternoon, which she did very well at, before heading home to rest some more. Dann grabbed Robin and Kai from school, Kai went to the gym and Robin went to Preform. Robin got her role in Robin Hood, their next play, which she is extremely excited about as it’s the largest role in the group. Everyone came home for dinner, we all played some video games (Robin on VR, Amelia and I on Switch, Kai on PC with Dann) before we sent the kids to bed. My Dad then called, we had gotten a big package from him today, we all tried a bunch of the snacks, so I spoke to him about that, and then I went to bed too.

January 24th – Pokemon and Skating

Today was a fun but busy day! We had the normal, Saturday morning stuff. Amelia worked on her painting for the local art gallery contest, which is coming along very well. We then went up to play Pokemon Go for the afternoon, as it was an event day. There were shadow Pokemon out. Amelia and Robin had a lot of fun playing with their friends, and both of their friends came over afterwards for dinner. Robin wanted to go roller skating after dinner, so we (along with her friend) headed to the local roller disco. It was tiring, but a lot of fun! Robin reminds me so much of myself, especially on days like today. We came home, had desserts, and I went right to bed after such a busy day.

January 25th – Ice Skating

After skating yesterday, Kai asked if we could all go ice skating, so of course we did. We had a fairly normal start to the day; breakfast, video games, I am working on my Animal Crossing island that Robin is destined to steal, if I am honest. In the afternoon, we went out to ice skating, where Kai and Robin had a blast, and Amelia enjoyed that we went out. She still wasn’t feeling super up to this sort of activity. We then headed home where Amelia painted, Kai worked on his homework, and we all had dinner. I took a long bath before going to bed.

January 26th – Monday Fun

Today was back to busy Mondays! We got up, made lunches, and got everyone off to school. After picking up Robin, I did a bit of a litter pick near her school, then we all headed to Geek Retreat where we played Flip7. We did a few rounds before I headed home to get dinner on, before heading back out for Max Monday. While out, we hung out with Amelia and Robin’s friends, who came home with us for dinner. Dann and Kai had DnD, so after everyone was served dinner, we hung out and watched movies until bedtime and everyone went home.

January 27th – Date Night

Days seem to blur together and work seems to just be getting on! I spent a lot of today working after doing the normal school lunch run. In the evening, Dann and I went on a little 6 course date night in London at The Steakhouse, which was really lovely. We came home in the late evening, it was a long dinner, and then we hung out until we went to sleep!

January 28th – Raid Hour

Today we did the normal school lunch drop off, then I went right to work as I had a lot to do. The month is ending and there just seems to be so much piled on. I did get to try the new Fallout Pringles (which were sent to me) and they were really gross! I took them to raid hour so that everyone else could try them. In the afternoon, Dann and I went to Amelia’s options evening – she is growing up so fast. She didn’t end up going as she had a trip to see Wicked, so we grabbed all the information for her to talk to her about it. At Raid Hour, we had a good time battling Pokemon and collecting food bank donations, before we headed to the movies with some of our other friends. We saw No Other Choice, which I thought was a movie about a dad who lost his job so had to become a hitman but sucked at it and had to get good at it while battling with the concept of being a hitman – but I was wrong. It was still OK and Tom gave me some early birthday gifts, which was very kind!

January 29th – Calm Day

Another very normal day! We got up, dropped off lunches, and then I went right to work. Afterschool, we all just hung out at home! I played some Animal Crossing, Amelia and I opened Pokemon Cards, Kai went to the gym. Robin played a bunch of VR and we tried some American sweets that my dad had sent me. It was just an extremely average day that didn’t feel too busy.

January 30th – Friends Over for Friday

Today we got everyone ready for school and out the door, a part from Kai, who had a late start due to a school trip. I then headed out to get my hair refreshed ahead of my birthday party at the weekend! It was very fun, and we booked another date for my hair after we go on holiday for the February break. Dann then ordered in lunch, as we were both in and out of meetings, before it was time to pick up Amelia and Robin – Kai was still on his trip. We also grabbed one of Amelia’s friends, who she really wanted to come over. Robin and Dann went right to her acting club, which she was really excited for. Everyone came home, hade dinner and desserts, and Amelia’s friend headed home shortly before bedtime.

January 31st – Pokemon and relaxing

Today was partially a work day, which is rare on a Sunday! In the morning, I did some big cleaning and everyone ate some breakfast which lead to a fridge clearing. Robin and I then went to the town centre to do some shopping – she wanted some new shoes and clothing, and I wanted to look at jumpers. We got back, played some video games, then our children headed out. In the afternoon, Dann and I went to Pokemon Go Max Battles, which was extremely hard due to the bird being legendary and the lobbies only holding 4 people. It was a lot of fun, though! In the evening, we went out for some dinner with some of the Pokemon people who won the walking competition. It was just a good day.