January 2020 – Baba’s Birthday & Life In Kent

Bonjour lecteurs! It is time for my monthly highlights. January 2020 has been very pleasing for us. Not only it was Baba’s birthday, but we also had some lovely days out in Kent. I hope you had a good start in 2020. But for now, this is what we have been up to.

January 2020, Monthly Highlights, The Frenchie Mummy, Life in the Country

The Secret Garden

The first week was slow and full of simple things. I reflected on last year and decided that I wanted to spend more quality time with my boys.

We have been lucky to travel quite a lot in December 2019, so January was all about staying local.

January 2020, Monthly Highlights, The Frenchie Mummy, Life in the Country, Kent, The Secret Garden, Restaurant

We had a delicious lunch at a restaurant we love, the Secret Garden.

January 2020, Monthly Highlights, The Frenchie Mummy, Life in the Country, Kent, The Secret Garden, Restaurant

It was just lovely to sit down and enjoy some food in some beautiful settings.

January 2020, Monthly Highlights, The Frenchie Mummy, Life in the Country, Kent, The Secret Garden, Restaurant

Baba was very happy with some cake, but it didn’t stop him from stealing un peu of my own dessert!

Like in Kent

I can officially now say that I am fully embracing living in the country. I still love going to London from time to time for a bit of fun and shopping ?

January 2020, Monthly Highlights, The Frenchie Mummy, Life in the Country, Kent, Park

But we enjoyed many walks or mini-adventures and it was pure bliss. For once, I barely went into town.

Instead, we made the most of local parks and I enjoyed visiting the area on my bike when Baba was at the nursery.

One Shall Keep Dreaming

We eventually discovered some new gems in the area of Ashford.

Par exemple, we stopped by a church for an impromptu quirky shoot in a place called Ivychurch.

January 2020, Monthly Highlights, The Frenchie Mummy, Life in the Country, Kent

And I even saw Mr Darcy going for a walk there!

More seriously, I love nothing more than a cold but sunny winter day. We go out, get some fresh air and Baba gets to exercise!

I am even more grateful each day for living here and having all this beautiful landscape to enjoy!

January 2020, Monthly Highlights, The Frenchie Mummy, Life in the Country, Kent

And one shall keep dreaming of a Frenchie cottage in the country! Who knows? Maybe one day!?

Reading More

On top of it, I have been keeping well with my fitness. Indeed, I pushed myself to exercise more. My body is my temple, and I want to take care of it!

January 2020, Monthly Highlights, The Frenchie Mummy, Reading, Books

My dad got diagnosed with cancer over Christmas and I realised how quick it could happen.

I want to live a healthy life. I am not saying that it might prevent any serious condition or illness. But at least I will give it a shot!

And it also means being healthy from the inside. Therefore, I am continuing my meditation journey.

January 2020, Monthly Highlights, The Frenchie Mummy, Reading, Books

And because a healthy mind is one always learning and thinking, I am also reading more.

I have reduced my use of social media for a better work-life balance.

Baba’s Birthday

Oh, and of course, we celebrated Baba’s birthday at the end of the month!

We picked him up from the nursery, went to the toys shop for one or two extra presents.

January 2020, Monthly Highlights, The Frenchie Mummy, Park

We finished the evening at Five Guys for a cheeky burger and a milkshake.

No need to say that Baba was very happy and super excited to turn 4! He kept asking me how old he was for the next few days.

January 2020, Monthly Highlights, The Frenchie Mummy, Birthday Boy, Baba's Birthday

I think he was hoping to be 5 quickly so that he could have another mini party with our family!

January 2020 – Baba’s Birthday & Life In Kent

January was slow but magically peaceful. After all the jazz of Christmas, I truly enjoyed a quieter month. It feels like there was not really anything to report somehow.

January 2020, Monthly Highlights, The Frenchie Mummy, Kent, The Secret Garden

But writing those lines, I feel blessed to have Grumpy Boyfriend and Baba on my side.

January 2020, Monthly Highlights, The Frenchie Mummy, Kent, Countryside

More importantly, I am eager to keep reaching for my goals this year.

I shall keep learning and being adventurous! February promises to be a bit more lively as we have some plans for Half-Term.

I hope January was as promising for you?

January 2020, Monthly Highlights, The Frenchie Mummy, Kent, The Secret Garden

How are you doing with your 2020 goals? Remember that by now,  80% of New Year’s resolutions have failed. So if keep going with yours, bravo!

Disclosure: This post may feature some sponsored content I recently published but it is merely a summary list of the month! And a post for me to reflect and cherish! Merci for reading it as always ?

49 Comments

  1. Susan B
    February 7, 2020 / 6:43 pm

    Your Baba is a very lucky boy. He’s looking so bonny, too.
    I no longer set goals but I like to think I will get on with the decorating this year.

  2. ashleigh allan
    February 7, 2020 / 6:49 pm

    Looks great – the secret garden looks fab.

    My goal is to lose weight!

  3. Margaret Gallagher
    February 7, 2020 / 8:38 pm

    Love love love

    I always have goals : this year is more ME time and to gain a stone ! Guess I’ll be eating lots of CHOC and cake

  4. Natalie Burgess
    February 7, 2020 / 8:48 pm

    Wow the secret garden looks amazing!!! Xx

  5. Julia Kerr
    February 7, 2020 / 9:33 pm

    Wishing him a very happy birthday, I hope he had lots of fun

  6. Fiona jk42
    February 7, 2020 / 10:39 pm

    Happy birthday to your son. I hope your father’s cancer is treated successfully.

  7. Joanie S
    February 8, 2020 / 11:15 am

    Oh doesn’t he look cute. What a little gent. Lovely

  8. Priscilla Stubbs
    February 8, 2020 / 11:51 am

    What a lovely birthday Baba had and I’m sure you enjoyed it too

  9. Michelle Lewis-Robertson
    February 8, 2020 / 12:04 pm

    I’m sorry to hear about your dad, but I love the enthusiasm and positivity you have for life despite its challenges. I’m still working on my goal of reading more often.

  10. February 8, 2020 / 12:22 pm

    Aww happy birthday to baba he’s so cute. Love the photos and the Secret Garden

  11. Carly Belsey
    February 8, 2020 / 3:25 pm

    Hope your little one had a fabulous birthday. I live in Kent 🙂 we are very lucky, it has some lovely places to visit

  12. J Matcham
    February 8, 2020 / 4:43 pm

    I am sorry to hear about your dad i lost my husdand to cancer and i too know how it feels. My goal since then is to regain the person I was then

  13. Lucy Wright-Booth
    February 8, 2020 / 8:44 pm

    Aww happy birthday Baba!

  14. Michelle Smith
    February 8, 2020 / 11:35 pm

    The secret garden looks like a lovely place to visit

  15. Carly Belsey
    February 9, 2020 / 5:24 am

    There really are some truely wonderful places to visit in Kent. I live in Kent and I love it. We are very lucky.

  16. Jean Vaughan
    February 9, 2020 / 7:59 am

    I love the outings and adventures you go on with Baba, something I did when mine were young and as young as he is I can reassure you that he will remember so much of it when he is older and love you for everything you did together.

  17. February 9, 2020 / 10:19 am

    Yes living in the country is a privilege isn’t it….whether Kent or Cumbria ( for me)
    Just walking the dog is a joy!!

  18. Hafsah
    February 9, 2020 / 11:30 am

    Living in the country is just the best!

  19. Susan Smith
    February 9, 2020 / 11:32 am

    Living in the country can’t be beaten, fresh air and plenty of long walks, beautiful photographs you have shared

  20. Sarah Courtney
    February 9, 2020 / 4:37 pm

    Happy Birthday Baba!

  21. Naila M
    February 9, 2020 / 4:38 pm

    This looks fun, and happy birthday to baba 🙂

  22. Sarah Cooper
    February 9, 2020 / 9:40 pm

    The Secret Garden looks amazing!

  23. Alice Gilkes
    February 9, 2020 / 11:32 pm

    Great post.

  24. Carolyn E
    February 10, 2020 / 8:54 am

    Looks like a great place for a great day out. And that cake ! Wow!

  25. Charlotte isobelle
    February 10, 2020 / 9:37 am

    How lovely! I need to get into making more memories

  26. Carly Belsey
    February 10, 2020 / 12:05 pm

    Ive never been to the Secret Garden but there are some wonderful places in Kent to visit

  27. lynn neal
    February 10, 2020 / 1:09 pm

    I am glad Baba had a great Birthday! 4 years old already!

  28. February 11, 2020 / 9:02 am

    The secret garden looks lovely

  29. February 11, 2020 / 10:13 am

    Hope your meditation is going well..any walk in the country is a kind of mind fulness isn’t it?!

  30. Jazz Fulcher
    February 11, 2020 / 10:52 pm

    Happy birthday, looks like you guys had a great time

  31. February 12, 2020 / 10:29 am

    Am sure the treats u have planned for half term will help u through this bad weather!

  32. Mrs Michelle Stokes
    February 12, 2020 / 8:01 pm

    It’s nice to see you are enjoying living in Ken,t but them I’m biased as I live in Kent!

  33. February 13, 2020 / 5:34 pm

    Does Baba still like being 4 …it’s a lovely age!!

  34. Jayne Townson
    February 13, 2020 / 7:55 pm

    Happy birthday to Baba, that cake looks so yummy.

  35. February 14, 2020 / 7:32 am

    Happy birthday ?to Baba . I would love to visit the secret garden .

  36. Jade Vaccaro
    February 14, 2020 / 11:31 pm

    So sorry to hear about your dad.
    Your little boy is lovely and the secret garden looks great! My goal as usual is to lose weight and eat healthy haha

  37. Susan Smith
    February 15, 2020 / 6:59 pm

    Happy Birthday Baba, we are keeping to our goals, which has to be a first, we are lucky to have a beach not far, so we have been walking along the beach collecting bits to craft with on rainy days, i found last year we got complacent, always leaving things for another day, but as a family we are kitting the little ones out more, even if its just going to the boating lake

  38. February 16, 2020 / 9:16 am

    Haven’t set any goals….& New Year seems a long time ago but am trying to jot a few ideas down & hoping that 2020 might be the year I actually do some writing!

  39. Charlotte isobelle
    February 16, 2020 / 11:25 am

    I love the idea of a healthy mind too, nothing better than taking a minute out of your day for yourself

  40. Nadia Josephine
    February 17, 2020 / 8:55 am

    I don’t blame him for stealing some of your dessert I think I would too!

  41. natalie s
    February 17, 2020 / 9:08 am

    I’m doing ok with my goals. Slow and steady wins the race I have to keep reminding myself! Lovely post looks like baba had a great time 🙂

  42. Tamara Wheatley
    February 17, 2020 / 4:16 pm

    That slice of cake looked YUMMY!

    Goals… continue going to the gym!

  43. Jules E
    February 18, 2020 / 1:28 am

    I’m really sorry to hear about your Dad. It sounds as though you’re taking very positive steps and a very good example to us all. I loved hearing all about your little one, his birthday and your time spent together so far this year. I have set myself some goals and am gradually achieving them.

  44. Daniel Coles
    February 18, 2020 / 8:11 am

    Looks like a great day out

  45. Carolyn E
    February 18, 2020 / 8:25 am

    What a great way to spend a birthday. So much more fun than a grown up one!

  46. natalie s
    February 18, 2020 / 12:50 pm

    Happy birthday! Sounds like you had an amazing day. Wishing you both a happy year ahead!

  47. February 18, 2020 / 1:20 pm

    Hope Baba is enjoying half term despite the horrible weather! Hope the wind is more gentle in Kent than it is in Cumbria!!

  48. Lucy Wright-Booth
    February 18, 2020 / 1:58 pm

    Happy birthday little one!

  49. Barrie Philpott
    February 18, 2020 / 2:31 pm

    Looks good

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