End of Winter Term

This week was the last week of school before the spring term break. It's 3 weeks for Pascale, 4 for Josephine. It's a lot of time to fill, but it looks like we may have some nice weather, which will make it much easier to get out and do things. During last year's term break, it was cold and miserable the whole time, and it was a LONG 4 weeks. I'm hoping the nicer weather sticks.



Remember the Hello Kitty from Josephine's birthday cake?

I finally broke down and let Josephine eat her.

This is her current state.

A few weeks ago, Pascale's school had a day when each student was to show up at school dressed like a character from a book. Pascale went as a butterfly from "Caterpillar, Butterfly". I made her some wings and she painted them to look like a butterfly. Of course, I made Josephine some wings, too. She has painted and re-painted them numerous times. Wing painting is one of her current favorite pastimes.


Josephine wore fancy dress on her last day of term.


On the bus. We were in the front seat at the top, which is a prime location.


We went to the mall for the first time today. The kids liked it, especially the Disney Store.


Pascale looking cute.


I made matching dresses and capes for them.

Mystery Gifts

These lovely gifts just arrived, addressed to Josephine. They are unaccompanied by any indication of who may have sent them. I hate to appear ungrateful, so if it was you, please send me an email.

Mother's Day

Yesterday was Mother's Day in the UK. We went out for lunch, and went to the Victoria and Albert to do crafts. The weather has been fabulous this past week. I hope it continues during the term break, which is coming up quickly.


The girls made crowns at the V and A. Pascale is supposed to make a hat at home to wear to school on Friday for their Easter party, so she can wear this one.



Josephine outside the V and A.

Josephine is THREE!

My baby turned three today! We had a party for her on Thursday and invited all of her school friends. I don't like to include photos of other people's kids on my blog, so these photos will make it appear as if there are no guests at the party. But there were actually plenty of guests.


Every day, Josephine and I walk by Jane Asher, which is a very fancy cake shop, and she has been obsessed with the Hello Kitty cake in the window. So I got her one for her birthday. She was totally thrilled with it. It seems like she thought I would not really get it for her, and when she saw it, her face totally lit up. The cake may have been the highlight of the whole party for her.


She felt a little overwhelmed by the party, and stayed in my lap a while in the beginning.



Here's Pascale with the magician.



Pascale got her face painted.



Another view of the work-of-art cake



The girls swapped uniforms to go out today. They thought is was hilarious.



Playing with play-doh



Look how long Pascale's hair is getting!



I got Josphine Hello Kitty glasses for her birthday.



Pascale has been conducting experiments that involve freezing water in different vessels. Every time I open the freezer, there's a different configuration.



We went out for lunch at Itsu today.



Josephine's birthday cupcakes



Eating the fairy cakes

Birthday, Zoo

It was my birthday this week, so we had some nice cupcakes to share. They are "american style" cupcakes, which means they are about 3X the size of the standard fairy cake here. Yum.

Bernie took the girls to the zoo today, which they loved. I don't often take them there because it's a bit far away, so it was a treat for them.


puddle jumping


Josephine painted this picture in school and it was in her bag when she came home. She insisted that I take a picture of it because, "It's lovely."

Early Spring

The weather has been a bit warmer lately so we got to hang out outside a bit this week. Bernie even took the girls to the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground on Saturday, where they had a lovely time.

Pascale at the Diana Playground


Playing with chalk in the back garden


Pascale went to a birthday party



On the bus