Arrived in Chester yesterday for a couple of days break with my daughter. Got a special deal in a hotel with a spa and leisure centre. So I spent last night in a hot jacuzzi followed by a steam - whilst Lauren had a much needed pregnancy massage and a manicure. She has been so tense lately - moving house, decorating and getting bigger by the day and sleeping less and less. She emerged from the therapy room looking like a different girl - all chilled and de-stressed!

So this morning we spent the day achieving the main purpose of our trip - to get all the Christmas shopping done in one day! Cheshire Oaks is so fab - my second visit here and Lauren reckons the first of many for her! (not with a baby on the way and a mortgage! But it's good to dream ;-)) So after 7 hours we achieved our goal, and also met up with my sis for lunch ( she lives near here) which was lovely. Not seen her for too long. Such busy lives! She was an angel dragging Lauren out of baby shops as she can't stop buying for baby Harry! I can't get it through to her that friends and family will have nothing left to buy! In 'the olden days' when we we didn't have today's technology and had no idea what sex the baby was - we waited for the news and then dashed out to buy gifts in pink or blue! It was also considered bad luck to buy anything too early. It's all so different now. God this makes me sound so ancient and I'm not 50 yet!

So I tried to equate a £20 babygro to treats they really need right now like a takeaway or night at the flicks. That will be such a luxury to them in a few months! But after 21 years as a mum why should I think she will listen to me now? Kids find their own way eventually and learn so much for themselves. We brought up a very strong minded, independent young lady - and I wouldn't want her to be any other way!

It was late when we left and the Christmas lights were stunning. I took a picture of this gigantic tree at night but you couldn't see the perspective. This isn't as pretty but you can see how tall it is. So much hard work getting all the Christmas lights up for just a few weeks - but it all looks so magical. Just glad I was off back to the hotel for another jacuzzi and not just starting my shopping after a full day at work. No not me - Tis all done now. And I've earned my wine :-)