March 09

Emile's Birthday Party
Last Saturday Emile from Maddie's class, turned 5! Kids parties over here are a lot more elaborate than I remember! When I was young, we had to walk ten kilometres in bare feet to get to school, with NO breakfast.... Just kidding Mum, you looked after me well and I will never ever forget my tenth 'Mouse themed' birthday - and NOT because the new pet mouse got squashed dead under a rock the next day (although that was quite traumatising!)
I digress, pics below:

Tucking in!

Maddie and Axel

Cedric the very camp, but also quite funny entertainer

Maddie and I in the garden

Hooray, spring is finally upon us! (see - short sleeved tops!!)

A nice Sunday afternoon

Maddie and Rob at Southbank, enjoying the sounds of the Georgian Choir

A walk along the Thames afterwards...



Last day of term - Egyptian dressing up day!

Queen Madeopatra

I knew we bought that Egyptian kids outfit in Egypt for something!!

Maddie and Samantha, and her sister Sarah

Maddie Moo and Friends

So fresh and so clean! Maddie wearing her towel like an 'Egyptian!'

'Mama, I'm SO glad I'm not eating your stew!' (Maddie eating pasta, after rejecting my Jamie Oliver stew.. which by the way was absolutely scrumptious!)

Playing at home before heading to church

Tea parties for all her toys

Getting her 'lamb bag' ready to take

After a swim at the pool with friends Amy and Ruby

Maddie and Ruby at Starbucks eating the worlds biggest choc chip cookies!

At the bus stop...we're going to the pool!

Saying of the week:

Mama: 'Maddie we're going to go on an adventure today!'
Maddie: 'well I don't want to go in the sun, I want to stay in the shade'
Dadda: 'You MUST be a Pom then!'
Maddie: (most grumpy) 'I'm NOT a Pom, I'm a Fuuman!' (Yep, thats right, Fuman as in Human... awwww) :)

Paris in Winter

Arrival by night. We trained into the city from the airport, and ended up at Notre Dame metro station. It was very surreal to pop up from the underground to Notre Dame right in front of us!
Eiffel Tower by night... magical

The next morning, a stroll around the beautiful streets, and then a stop for the most amazing 'brunch' ever at Laduree! Pastries, bread, scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, hot chocolates, jam, yogurt, fruit..... it seemed never ending! While we sat inside, masses of soft snow fell outside... wow!

Yes, I am happy here :)

Exploring the wonders of the Musee d'Orsay
... so brilliant! I especially loved seeing the impressionist paintings of Monet and Renoir up close!

Outside the Musee d'orsay

Nothing says 'Paris' like a fresh crepe

Checking the map like a true tourist, after a very french brekkie

Sacre Coeur

Thats a lot of Snow!

Finally the freezing weather pays off!!! Snow snow everywhere!! It began last night, and Matt went off in search of a some friends to have a snow fight with. He came across Kylie, Rob and Pam and next thing I know they are knocking on my door, and we are all hurling snow in the middle of the street! Good times!

What a cheeky grin!

We haven't been feeding Rob.. poor lad!

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

Just a little excited!

This morning was even more amazing. Snow so thick everywhere... our back yard was a blanket of white. Schools were closed, tubes down, buses down... what a shame... we can't get to work!

Maddie: 'Argh I'm so excited, I'm so excited'

Maddie says to me as we are walking along 'I don't want summer to come Mama, cause this is way too much fun!' :)

Our Street

Our backyard!

Parsons Green tube... not much activity there

Snowman land... where I leave Matt, Kylie and Maddie building a snowman... back home to warm up my toes!

Walham Green

Weekend in Norwich

The catch phrase on the sign for Norwich says... 'It's a fine city'. Well... I beg to differ.. it was pretty darn boring, but we had a fun weekend away together anyway, and enjoyed catching up with the small Norwich Assembly. :)

Pam and Maddie being mischievous

On our way..

Snacks on train

Maddie catches a quick shot of Wayne in a restaurant

On our way to check out the Castle

Rockin in Norwich