We Saw the Queeeeeeeen!!

Hello on this glorious Diamond Jubilee weekend!Saturday was the world-reknown Epsom Derby racing day, which the Queen attends every year. The race course is only a brisk 13mn walk up the hill from our house so I took Louis to see the crowds and manage to take pictures of the Derby race start!

We then walked back down to the top of our road where Lou and I saw the Queen drive right past us as we waved our flag - it was great fun. As soon as the car was gone, Louis went; "Mummy, can we go home now?"!!

Sports Day video 3

And the final race...

Sports Day video 2

And here is the 2nd video (Hoop)

Louis' Sports Day

Hellooooo Everyone

So sorry you haven't heard from us in a while but the house Project (yes, with a capital "P") has somewhat taken over our lives; good news is the end is in sight - but more on that in another post.

This week was Louis' Sports Day where all the parents from Nursery 1 get to attend; I have to say I didnt know what to expect, but it was amazing. All the kids were split into groups of 6 and had to compete in 3 races: egg and spoon, hoops and running. And well... our Lou won every single one of them. Rather embarassingly I avoided the stares from the more competitive parents and toned down the celebration routine somewhat... It brought tears to my eyes (I know, am getting soft with old age, right?).

See below for a share of the action!

Close Ups

Some pictures of Louis which just make me smile :-)

Les Travaux - Part II

Alors, quelques nouvelles du front:

L’échafaudage est enfin parti et le toit a été complètement remplacé et le cote et l’arrière de la maison enduis et peints. Il reste quelques petits trucs a faire mais c’est beaucoup plus joli, je vous mets les photos avant/après pour comparaison !! A bientôt pour de nouvelles aventures…

Staffordshire

Lou and I spent New Year's eve with Auntie Julie, Uncle Felix, Ingrid and Arthur and we had a FAB time in the countryside; well apart from Louis falling face down in a large puddle of muddy water, from where I had to rescue him, then carry a screaming child down the lane back home to get him straight into a hot bath bless him! Auntie Julie made us all a hot chocolate afterwards and it was much better.

On the first day of the year, we took part in the village tradition - the Goose Walk. We all met in front of the pub at 11am and walked 3 miles down some country lanes. The kids did it on their bikes and were amazing! Thank you again Jules & Felix for the wonderful and chilled way we welcomed 2012 in your lovely home. XOXO.

Manege

Jardins Botaniques

Balade avec Papy Michel aux jardins botaniques de Kew aujourd'hui!

Treehouse Beds

So with a giant house to renovate and (eventually) style, I am spending every spare moment going back through 8 years' worth of LivingEtc. magazines for ideas. And I found something that got me so excited I had to share with you, lot!

An old 2006 edition had the most amazing treehouse bed for a little boy. The house was in the Netherlands and so I searched and searched and found KidsFactory: UTTERLY FAB-U-LOUS.

Below are a few examples; we are totally getting (or even considering making) one of those for Louis at some point since his new bedroom is massive. Can you imagine being a kid and getting to sleep in one of those every night?! Somehow I have a feeling Mummy might be more excited about it than Loulou...

Horton Park Farm

Last week end, we went to Horton Farm near our house and Louis loved all the animals, particularly the goats. Although when asked which ones were his favourites, he replied: "I like aaaaaall of them!". We gave them special food at specifically designed feeding stations for kids and even daddy got his head in a funny picture (Louis refused to go with him, but thought Daddy looked well funny regardless)!
 

 

Les Travaux - Part I

Alors les travaux ont commence sur la maison... Nous avons donc maintenant 10m d'échafaudage tout autour pour un minimum de 8 semaines! Le toit a disparu, et on attend l'accord de la municipalité pour le dossier de permis de construire ou nous avons du montrer quelle type de tuile nous avons l'intention de mettre. La maison est de 1890 et le toit était d'origine - autant dire que c'était pas le pied! Tout le revêtement gravas a été enlevé et la première couche d'enduit a été mise. Nous avons aussi régulièrement des camions qui viennent livrer et bloquent notre rue (à sens unique) créant cette semaine une queue de 18 voitures! Bref pour l'instant les voisins sont sympathiques mais ca risque de ne pas durer!!

TeddyClub

Over the last few months, more and more teddies have gradually made it into Louis' bed at night... and he makes a point of trying to go downstairs in the morning carrying them all, which is hysterical.There's Nelly the elephant, Big Bear, Bunny, Bah, Doggie, Sheepie, Teddy... and one with "no name"!

Le Soleil Levant

Coucou!

Nous avons trouve un pub très mignon a 2mns a pied de notre nouvelle maison qui s’appelle Le Rising Sun ; nous avons donc teste la bière, le vin et la bouffe et c’est pas mal du tout ! Il y a un jardin très sympa pour les journées ensoleillées et top bonus : Jenson Button y vient régulièrement boire entre deux grand-prix !!

Louis is 3!!!

How on earth did THAT happen? How is it possible that the little shrimp I gave birth to (didn't feel that little at the time, but I digress...) with loads of black hair, suddently became such a funny, gorgeous, confident and mostly kind little boy in such a short space of time??
Here is he with his friends having chocolate cake:

And reading his cards in the morning!!

I know I am guilty of motherly bias, but literally everyday, I look at him and think: "how did we manage to produce something so fabulously scrumpcious?". He is also incredibly funny and regularly has Jon and I in stitches so I thought I would share some of the latest ones here:
Me: "Louis, what comes after Thursday?"
Louis: "Funday?"

Louis, pointing at Mandoo going into his litter box: "Does he have tissue in there?"

Out in the park: "Muuuuummy, can you please stop the wind?"

Whilst clearing out his bedroom: "Muuuummy, you shouldn't put my bunny on the floor... cause it says so on the laaaaabel"

And last but not least: "I love you Mummy. You're my BEST friend".