Nearly everyone I know will be glad to see the back of 2009 - the year that gave us the credit crunch, the worst summer ever and, um, Jedward. But Mum's The Boss , a great site for mums who want to start their own business, has given me a High Five and reminded me that everyone has at least some highlights from the past year. So here are mine:
*Watching President Obama's inauguration back in January.
*The snow in February. The entire city came to a standstill, all the kids were off school and we just went to the park, had snowball fights and hot chocolate with whipped cream. Brilliant.
*Standing on top of a mountain in Switzerland, seeing the kids' expressions as they tobogganed across the summit and hearing them shriek with laughter, and facing up to my fear of heights in the process. Totally magical.
*The day the rescue rang to say we'd been approved to adopt our puppy.
*Seeing Susan Boyle audition on Britain's Got Talent. I think that moment taught everyone not to judge by appearance, including the judges.
*Writing this blog and discovering KidStart. (I honestly didn't realise you could get money back for your kids from shopping online before, even at the sales! It's fantastic!)
OK that's six, not five. Clearly 2009 has been better than I thought. I now have to give the High Five to five of my favourite bloggers and ask them to share their highlights. So I'm choosing Susanna at A Modern Mother, Eva at Nixdminx, Rosie Scribble, Linda at You've Got Your Hands Full, and Sally at Who's the Mummy? . (If you have time, do pop over to their blogs and have a read - they're all fab).
What are your personal highlights of 2009? I'd love to know.
And meanwhile, a very Happy New Year! See you in 2010 for some top tips to help you make it your best year ever.