Wanderings

Whilst Sam attends his judo class I usually take a walk with Bella, who finds it a bit difficult to keep it together for a whole hour in the judo hall. It is smack bang in the middle of her nap time, so we sometimes take a drive or go for a walk.

These are a few photos of our village, where Sam goes to school. I didn't know there was a road lined with the Chateau wall with houses built into it. And, the sight of a tractor parked up in the village square (outside the bar) isn't unusual.

Sam's Christmas Appeal

We wrote a letter to Santa today with a list of presents Sam would like. Bless him, he didn't want that much. It was me that added things he might like. Racing cars and choo choos are at the top of the list and more importantly we had to notify Santa that Sam and Bella will be a nana's house, England for Christmas. He is so worried he'll come here by default!

How can anyone resist that innocent angelic face?

Shutting up

Just in time for the cold weather and dark days. We have shutters, made by my clever husband the carpenter. These replace the old ugly metal shutters which, I was so pleased to see the back of!

We made biscuits

Every week we make a batch of plain butter biscuits. The icing is a must and the colour is usually a not negotiable blue, but this time I got my own way and we made pink icing. I doubt you can identify the shapes of the biscuits, which are cars and one number 2 for some reason.

Bamboo Jungle

At the bottom of our garden is our mini bamboo jungle. It's quite damp and dark down there and the bamboo grows quite dense. Sam loves to wriggle his way through the bamboo stalks. The chickens don't mind it either!

A little bit of chubbyness

She is just one lovely bundle of chubbyness this little girl of mine. And progressing she is - I have recently noticed her impersonating us. Sam is always amazed when she does something new. I'm sure he thinks she will stay a baby forever.

Yesterday, whilst Scott was talking on the phone, Bella was sat in her highchair, hand to ear babbling away and nodding her head. So funny.

Whilst I was demonstrating the art of juggling (badly) to Sam, I noticed Bella had picked up two of her baby skittles and was throwing them up in the air - probably to demonstrate how bad my juggling attempt actually was....When she sees me dancing to a tune, she grabs her wooden spoon and bangs it on her drum (old pan) as percussion. And the kisses she blows when saying goodbye or night night.

I can see there's a lot going on in those big blue eyes of hers....and most of it is probably naughtyness!

This moment

Inspired by SouleMama

It's a pretty uneventful day in our part of the world today. In between rain showers we took a walk around the village. So quiet as usual. We stopped to say hello to Monsieur Crepin collecting his mail. I think he was happy to see another human being - all alone in his big old Chateau must be lonely.

The twins have been out in the village putting up (voluntarily) the Christmas lights. Hopefully, we'll see them lit up before we make our journey back to the UK for Christmas.

We're all happy and proud to hear that Sam is doing so well at school. His teacher commented on how he is speaking french much more fluently and that they are relieved to be able to understand him a little more easily.

Have a lovely weekend :)

Wednesday is Judo day

The best day of the week according to Sam. He gets to put his white suit on and run around the sports hall with his friends. He loves Sylvie, the Judo teacher and I have a sneaky feeling Sam is her favourite. He is the youngest and therefore slowest for the time being. It is fun watching him and today Bella also had fun playing with the cutest twin toddlers whilst we waited.

So far..

playing with my vintage goodies

playing animal dominoes

still finding old treasures like this box in the barn

these animation cards are under chairs, down the side of the sofa, under rugs...

desparately trying to knit this darn cardigan for Bella.

..this week, the weather is pretty grim outside. There aren't many places to visit here in middle nowhere France so indoor activites are what we have been doing. And yes, the house is a tip!

This moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Following SouleMama

Leaves!

Oh the leaves! They drive me crazy. 2 minutes after we have raked them up, the driveway is covered once more. I love the old chestnut tree outside our front door. It provides much needed shade in the summer - but we are made to pay in the autumn. But I'm not complaining too seriously. The leaf raking challenge is turned into Sam's "lets make a leaf moutain" challenge and not to mention the quality compost it makes.

And there was the little strawberry gem Sam found...in November!

12 months ago today..

A quick read.
Blog update.

A bit of decorating!

Reorganising daddy's filing.

Unravelling my packaging.

Isabella Jessie (Isabella after my great-grandma and Jessie after Scott's grandma) pushed her way out into the big wide world - promptly on her due date, 12 months ago today. With our bundle of chubby mischievousness, there is never a dull moment. She is kissed and cuddled at every opportunity and her big brother absolutely idolises her. Unfortunately for him, Bella thinks it is highly amusing to attack him whenever he tries to kiss or cuddle her. But this doesn't stop him quickly squeezing in as many kisses as he dare risk.

She was treated to a lovely evening at nana and grandad's house who laid on a beautiful spread of sausage rolls, cheesy pastries, gingerbread men, trifle and birthday cake...followed by a bonfire and fireworks! Both babies are exhausted and fast asleep with the excitement.

Whilst Bella and I were in the house alone the other day, I thought it would be fun to follow her and observe what she busied herself with and she didn't disapoint!

Weekend Walk

Despite the terrible weather - cold, windy, rain and even hail we were (I was) determined to get out of the house. We chose a walk through a forest next to the river Sedelle. It was beautiful and not a single person to be seen...an no (edible) mushrooms either.

This moment

Little skele-buckles, originally uploaded by andrea hornbuckle.

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Following SouleMama

This week...

A little re-cap of the week ~

• A little trip to the english library to re-stock on novels, gardening, cooking and childrens books.
• A little gardening - i.e. raking more flippin leaves!
• A small victory for me at the clothes shop. Arguing (in french!) and standing my ground with a pair of faulty jeans. Without a receipt!
• Listening to Sam reciting the days of the week in French - so sweet.
• Watching Sam drawing bats and planes on the chalk wall.
• The amount of toys and books I bought for nearly nothing from the second hand shop. Especially the little case I bought for Sam to put all his craft bit and bobs into. Of course, he doesn't want to use it for this purpose, but instead stuffing it full of toys and carting it everywhere he goes.
• Singing and dancing to french children's songs. I thought it was about time I made an effort into what Sam hums and sings to after school. Now I know..."cacouhette"..can't get it out of my head.
• More blue cakes.
• Autumn walks.

...oh and Sam declared very loudly and suddenly.."I like girls I do". The things he says really really cracks me up :)