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".

New Home!

Finally I get to write a little something about our new home – since so many of you asked!

We left our beloved Teddington and after many conversations and a little bit of luck, we bought a new place in Epsom, Surrey – a leafy suburb 18 miles south-west of London.

It’s a currently 6-bed monster, which hasn’t been touched in 40 years and will require months of refurbishment, hard work and plenty of cash. So you won’t find me splashing money on the latest “it” bag, or collecting shoes, or going out, or travelling… no, no, no. I will be signing cheques after cheques for central heating, scaffolding, window refurbishment and gas pipe work (oh that was just in the last week BTW!).

Louis is happy as anything, currently residing in a bright canary-yellow room which is easily twice the size of his last bedroom. We recently asked him what colour he wanted his new room painted and he replied: “blue, and red. And black.” Hhmmm… am going to show him the Farrow&Ball colour chart and see where we can compromise.

Jon is completely in his element, and very happy with managing the project (that’s where his OCD comes into good use!) and negotiating with builders. One of our prospective builders arrived onsite riding a mean Harley-Davidson, clad head to toe in black leather. I thought he looked cool. Dreadfully cool in fact. So cool in fact that I would have gladly given him the job right there and then! So good thing Jon is in charge of budget!

Anyway, we want to make it the most fabulous family home in Epsom. Oh and we hope we get to welcome you very soon. Watch this space as we keep you up to speed on progress!!