New York to Paris

IMPORTANT INFORMATION change web address

Due to technical challenges, with an old email address, crazy German defaults in Switzerland, and downloading to Blurb I have started a new blog from afresh.

Please link to:

www.whitehurstcrooks.blogspot.com

for further updates

Kate.

London and Legoland

We went for a long weekend to London. We stayed with Chris and Una first, visiting a local playfarm and having fun wih Alex and Dylan. Dylan (3) took a liking to Bella and insisted on making big eyes at her, turning on his charms (wonder where he got that from...), wanting to hold her hand all the time. But she was having none of that. Poor Dylan, first rejection. Glad to see Bella is learning life's important lessons. On the Sunday we all went to see the musical Matilda in the West End, which was brilliant. Then we headed over to the recently opened Legoland hotel, and stayed in a themed "Adventure" Room. What a treat (for the kids), kiddie heaven. The room was egyptian/raiders of the lost arc styled. The hotel was a complete ball for kids, pirate swimming pool, lego everywhere indoor playpark, food at kids height... Legoland was great perfectly suited to their age group and also it was school days in UK, and the weather was beautiful, so couldn't have asked for more. Sebby wants to move in to the Legoland hotel now.

Chris and Una's

Legoland

the hotel room (kids bit)

We went to Paris for a long weekend, having promised Sebby we would go back to the city where he was born, as he obviously doesn't remember it, having left at 6 months old. We rented a beautiful 2 bed apartment in St Germain des Pres, and set about seeing the sights of Paris. We saw Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre (outside), Musee D'Orsay (inside), Science and Industrie - Cite des Enfants (inside), Pompidou Centre, Grand et Petit Palais (outside), Trocadero, the house we used to live in, the parks they used to play in, and much more. We took I Spy Paris and I think we ticked 75% of it. We went on the TGV from Geneva only 3 hours, and whilst we were there the metro and Batobus and even a bike taxi at one point. Poor Sebby was exhausted with all the walking involved in city life.

Here's our apartment. It's someone's home they rent out when they are away. It's beautiful, 2 beds high ceilings, massive windows. Made us want to buy a city pad. Really nice to come back to a place to relax.

We took various modes of transport. We met some friends from Switzerland and hung out on the Batobus as a respite from all the walking.

checking out the classics

I love the place, although am getting quite sick of all the walking!

Don't remember this when we lived there, everyone putting locks
on a couple of bridges with their names and dates on, so we did it too.
Great business for lock sellers.

A trip to the Cite des Enfants at the Science and Industry museum, which the kids loved..

Fete d'Enfants

It was the village (Commugny) fete d'enfants on Saturday with a children's parade and a fancy dress competition. On the flyer it said kids could come on bikes, scooters etc. We hadn't been before so didn't really know what to expect, but decided last minute to go. As Bella had had a Hawaii themed birthday last year we had a tonne of stuff available and set about decorating Bella's bike and Sebby's scooter. Turns out they were the only kids who had decorated their transport. Lots of kids dressed up in their fancy dress, and even a family of robots. We did a parade around the streets behind a marching band, then had the obligatory sausage and chips and salad. There were a few prizes available and Bella and Seb won the "overall committee prize" so that sounds good to me.

Princess Smartypants

It was bookday at at Bella's school and she chose to go as Princess Smartypants. A great book that my mum bought for me, about the time she thought she would never have grandkids, turns out she was wrong. Thought I pass on the wisdom though to Bella.

Intersoccer

Sebby takes a shot at goal during the half term soccer camp.

the season

and so the season went on. Eventually the snow stopped, once we were all getting bored of deep powder off piste (or was that just me???) and it got really really cold, then it got really really hot, but plenty of snow for a great season. Sebby got his mountain medal (Crystal International), and Bella got the Criystal International Gold, which is great. We had lots of guests, so the flat was well used throughout. The snow was so good we only had one weekend off, when we went to London to see the Nutracker.

Bella and Olly chill out

medal time

spy kids

Mum and Alistair visit

Mum and Alistair decided a visit to the mountains in ski season was in order, having seen the photos, it was time to experience the real thing. Bravely one day they donned the snow shoes, and hiked up to meet us at the teepee. I think now the photos will be enough. Canary Islands here they go.

Pround grandparents, as Sebby gets another medal.

family ski

a little video of speedy Seb, cool Bella and orange trousers Kate.

and so did the snow

After a very late start, when it did start snowing it rarely stopped. We had a few glimmers of sun around Christmas day, and the snow got deeper and deeper and deeper.

Christmas arrived

We had Christmas and New Year in the mountains, and my brother Nick and family joined us for some festive fun. Becky, Chris and co. were also in residence, as were Carl and Sue and family, and it was Marisa's 4th birthday so lots of socialising was in order.