Day 365. That's a wrap.

And as the clock strikes midnight here ends this blog. Three hundred and sixty five photos each accompanied by a varying number of words.

On reflection my year looks pretty standard for a working Mum. Some highs and a few lows. Moments of excitement - gigs, restaurants, holidays and proud parenting - sitting alongside everyday chores and monotony.

I kind of lost my mojo after my Dad died in September and although I continued to take the pictures each day I often struggled to post them on here. But here they all are.

So this is me. 2013 forever captured in a series of snapshots taken on an iPhone. A moment in history. This is my life.

And I can honestly say I'm happy with that.

Happy New Year.

Day 364. Inside the wall.

We're ending the year with a trip to the North East. Three days in Winter, on the NE coast, with three children means finding indoor activities for when the weather is just too miserable for outdoor entertainment.

A trip to the local climbing wall seemed a good idea. It was left to me to find the number and a quick google brought up one in Byker with a kids training session available in the afternoon. Off we headed in two cars. When we arrived to confirm the booking it transpired we'd booked at a different centre because I'd mistaken the description of the place for its name.

Fortunately the other one was just a few minutes drive away otherwise we'd have missed our slot. Next time I'm asked to find the contact details for a venue I don't know, I think I'll just double check it's the right place before we head off...

These little monkeys (continuing the theme from yesterday's post) had a ball and the consensus was that this was actually more fun than the centre where you climb on ropes. And we got to head inside the Byker Wall which reminded me of a place in Liverpool close to where I grew up. Success, even if it was accidental rather than planned.

Day 363. Me and my girl, and a blanket.

Ever since she was a toddler Bea's done this in the car. While watching a film*, covered with a blanket, or coat or anything else she can use as a blackout. Each time it reminds me of orangutans. In captivity or rehabilitation they like to use blankets to protect them from insects, to sleep under or even to play hide and seek.

So here she is. My girl of the forest. Enjoying Harry Potter and possibly causing people in other cars to wonder what the hell she's doing. Unless they have kids too. In which case they may already know.

*If she watched The Elephant Man, she'd be a girl under a blanket, watching a man, under a blanket.

Day 362. A final 2013 visit.

To Cambridge.

I suspect 2014 will see my loyalties shift slightly towards Norwich. It's closer for a start and after heading there to do some Christmas shopping I fell a little bit in love with the place.

But for now, one last trip to a city that first won me over in the '90s. A place I've introduced my daughter to. Where I've laughed, cried, played, entertained, dined, shopped, shopped and shopped a little more.

I won't fully abandon its cobbled streets, the college backs and the glorious museums; it's just time to discover somewhere closer to home.

Day 361. Full house.

After two days of Christmas we've had a chilled day with a few of Bea's friends over to play. I love it when they come over as the house feels full and I can indulge the hopes I used to have of having a larger family.

Even when they've devoured a packet of jaffa cakes in world record speed and requested hot chocolate and cups of sweet tea after a trip to the park I'm not put off.

Full house. Just how I like it.

Day 360. One wafer thin mint.

After gorging ourselves on rib of beef and chocolate bread and butter pudding for lunch we really don't need anything else to eat. But it's Christmas. Well Boxing Day. So life must revolve around food, drink and general indulgence.

Just one sliver of pie and a small slice of ham? Go on then. And a bit of cheese. Perhaps another glass of wine. And a few crisps.

One wafer thin mint Family Creosote?

Boom!

Day 359. We Three Honeybones.

Breaking with tradition we're having a Spanish themed Christmas lunch although the musical accompaniment of "We Three Kings' played beautifully by Bea reminded us it's the 25th December and not just another Honeybone lunch.

Happy Christmas everyone.