Will & Kate

While millions of people came to London to catch a glimpse of the royal couple at Westmister Abbey, Buckingham Palace, or somewhere in between - Lulu, Papa, and I watched it on our big screen tv.  Lulu thought Kate looked beautiful in her lace dress designed by Sarah Burton - a timeless and classic look a la Grace Kelly - when she lived every girl's dream of becoming a princess. 

People can't get enough of the new royal couple, and we have to agree that they're a perfect pair. 

Congrats to the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge!

Easter in Marseille

Lulu, Papa, and I returned from a refreshing Easter weekend in Marseille with Mamine, Papinou, Solenne and Maxime.  Lulu's first trip to France!!  It's too bad we booked our tickets prior to the announcement of William and Kate's wedding - had we known we could have spent 11 days in Marseille and Papa would have only used 3 vacation days!  Oh well, on the bright side of things we will get to be in town for the long awaited, much anticipated (at least by the Brits) Royal wedding. 

Highlights of the weekend included Papinou pushing Lulu on the swing for the first time - she couldn't get enough! 

Eating a delicious gigot (leg of lamb) for Easter lunch -- on the patio!

Playing in the grass.

And watching Papinou and Papa clean the deck and garden in preparation for Solenne and Maxime's wedding which, at least in our minds, is far more exciting than the Royal wedding!

We can't wait to go back and take our first dip in the pool (and perhaps the Med) in early July.  Thanks for a wonderful weekend, Mamine and Papinou!  See you soon.

Em & Niko

Happy 1st year anniversary, Em and Niko!! 

We miss you.

xoxoxo

Easter weekend

Lulu received her first Easter card this week from Aunt Bea.  As you can see from the photo, she was very happy and eager to read it. 

The past couple years we spent Easter with Gigi, Bea, and Jay at our apartment in NYC.  We'll miss seeing all of you!! 

Gigi was on the phone with Auntie Em
... and Romain was the photographer

Tomorrow morning we're flying to Marseille to spend Easter weekend with Mamine, Papinou, Solenne, and Maxime.  We're keeping our fingers crossed for warm weather so Lulu can go for her first dip in the pool, but for now the forecast isn't too promising. 

Wishing everyone a very Happy Easter. 

Bea's culinary masterpiece from 2009

Kew Gardens

Clara is on Easter break this week so she and Hilary took us to Kew Gardens today!  It was a beautiful day to be outside, and although we just missed the daffodils and were a bit too early for the magnolias, we still enjoyed looking at the blooming tulips and other plants in the greenhouses. 



Lulu's first time in the grass!!

Sleeping beauty

I know the blog is supposed to be about our adventures exploring London, but I have to share the news that little Lulu has slept through the night - yes, in her own room - for three nights straight!!  She's such a good little girl, I can't get enough of her! 

As much as I'm thrilled about the possibility of getting a full night of uninterrupted sleep (I still haven't because I wake up at least twice a night to check that she's breathing) I'm also a bit sad because it means she's getting older!!  Everyone says how quickly kids grow up, and boy do they!  You really don't fully understand how quickly though, until you experience it with your own. 

Scones

I love baking with buttermilk and I love scones, so while Lulu was sleeping this afternoon I whipped up a batch of  Martha Stewart's blueberry-buttermilk scones.  I haven't had a scone since we arrived in London and I'm not sure what a true British scone tastes like.  I'm used to US scones that are probably loaded with too much of everything, so I was a little disappointed with the outcome of the ones I baked today. 

They look pretty good, if I might say so myself, but the consistency and flavor were missing something.  I thought they should be denser and sweeter, these were light, fluffy and almost savory.  Not what I was hoping for!  Anyone have a good scone recipe they want to share? 

Lulu wasn't able to enjoy the scones with me today, but I told her that as soon as she gets more of those pearly whites we can share desserts during snack time.  She got very excited when I told her that! 

Ironic

After last week's episode with the mouse, Lulu and I decided we needed a garbage can with a lid.  As a result of our decision, we are staying in today waiting for the UPS man to deliver our Simple Human. 

One of the things we miss the most about NYC is the convenience of having a doorman.  Not only does it provide an extra layer of security, but it also means you don't have to stay home all day waiting for a delivery. 

   

Playing with ducks waiting for the UPS man ...

How ironic that the garbage can is arriving today because Papa set off on another trip this morning ... so we'll see if the vermin are playing tricks on us only when he's away!  Lulu tried to catch a ride in his luggage, but Papa told her she wouldn't fit.  Bon voyage, Papa! 

Sunshine

What a beautiful weekend!  Papa cleaned up the garden on Saturday and we enjoyed our first barbeque with Axel, Hilary, and Clara on Sunday.  It's almost time for us to find Lulu a blow up pool for the garden!  Who wants to come over for a pool party?!

Relaxing on Aunt Hilary and Uncle Axel's patio before the bbq

Papa and Lulu are checking out Clara's chocolate-filled egg

Spring is here

... but it feels like summer!  The last few days have been absolutely beautiful - clear blue skies and bright sun with temperatures in the 70s.  Although they say it's not typical weather for this time of year, we'll take it - and more of it, please!  As if the mice and spiders weren't reason enough to leave the apartment, the weather certainly has drawn us out even more each day.

Today we jumped in the car with Hilary and our new friend Kelli and drove to Wimbledon.  Without traffic, it's a quick 10 minute ride over the Putney bridge.  We ate lunch on the terrace of the Cannizaro House. 

And then took a quick stroll through Cannizaro Park. 

This is certainly a place we'll have to visit again.  Lulu told me she wants to bring Papa, so maybe in a few weeks we can go back.  Maybe for a picnic in the lawn behind the Cannizaro House. 

When the cat's away ...

As fate would have it, Romain is traveling and a little mouse came out to play.  Lulu didn't know what to think - at first she was startled and then she giggled.  My heart, however, skipped a few beats as I let out a shriek and hit the ceiling.  Thank god mom was home so she could calm me down and provide moral support on the other end of the phone. 

It looks like we've traded roaches for mice ... not sure which is the lesser of two evils.  This is just par for the course in a city, but why do they always have to come around when I'm home alone (or at least the only adult at home)?  First item on the list of things to do tomorrow morning:  buy mouse traps!  Should I bait them with muenster cheese?! 

On a lighter note, Sienna turned 7 months today!  She decided to tip her play mat and use it as a different kind of toy. 

And we had cookies to celebrate.  Maybe it was those cookie crumbs that lured our furry friend ...

Portobello

Lulu and I finally found our way out of Fulham today!  We were overdue for an adventure and fortunately received an invite for afternoon tea at Catherine's friend's house in Notting Hill.  We took the bus, got there early and explored Portobello Road. 

There was some nice looking produce at the Portobello Market, but most vendors were closing up shop, as it was nearing the end of the day.  The street wasn't as busy as I had expected, but I imagine it's busiest over the weekend and not at 4pm on a Monday.  We'll have to go back for more exploring another time. 

Yo, Ma

Although Mother's day in the US isn't until the second Sunday in May, it's celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent in the UK, which is today!  Happy Mother's day to all the mothers in our lives.

I don't think you can truly appreciate everything your mother did, does, and will do for you until you become one yourself.  Thank you for everything you do and for your unconditional love, mom!!   I miss you.