Moving house

How much do I dislike packing, at the start I find it therapeutic due to throwing so much out, but then the nightmare begins. When you have packed 60% of your belongings and just have the straggly bits left, which box does it go in, will it fit in the boxes, do I need it in the last few days before I leave - nightmare, nightmare, nightmare.
You would think I would be good at it by now, we moved from our little house to the family house in 2003, then to another house for 6 months only, then did the big move to France, we are now on a reverse journey missing out the 6 month house and back to our lovely family house -  only 6 days left in France.
Still need to shop, silly things like their flour it makes so much better cakes than ours, pastry in a roll and then wine, champagne and kirs of course.

Disneyland

The family went to Disneyland last week courtesy of Rêves, a French charity for sick children and wow we had a good time. My daughter was made to feel special at all times, we did not queue for anything, and if you have ever been to Disneyland you can imagine how good this is. We went on so many rides, met all the characters, even a special treat when Minnie Mouse and Snow White came to see my daughter in person.
After all the hardship over the last year and the sad, hard, scary days we have spent in hospital, this was a fabulous way to celebrate my daughters great health, a year to the day she was diagnosed with cancer.
So a big big thank you to all the people out there who give to charity as I can not begin to tell you how special and wonderful it was and a big thank you to Rêves and to Silvia Gaillard, who made our stay at Clermont hospital more bearable.

Mother's day

Mother: the most beautiful word on the lips of mankind. -Kahil Gibran

A mother is someone who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take - Unknown

No need to say anything else, have a good day

Birthday parties - are they fun or a nightmare to arrange

Lucie the entertainer

I have 3 children which means a lot of parties and all of them except for 2 I have done at home, with a lot of stress and hard work. This year I am going to do it the hard way again in our house,  but I am going to get a lot of help, Lucie the entertainer, who sounds excellent  and my friend to do the catering.
It will not be the usual birthday party with the whole reception class,  as we are just moving back from france,  but hopefully lots of  friends will come and celebrate my daughter being well again and her 5th birthday.

In the past we have had treasure hunts for my son, that was a lot of organisation! Luckily we had a very sunny day and everyone enjoyed it. For my 2 girls we have had lots of princess parties with face painting, traditional party games and jewellery making - which is an excellent idea as they take the key rings and bracelets home in their party bags, I bought all the beads of ebay and they were stunning.

Sleeping beauty cake

Knights and princess party cake

My daughter waiting for the food to be served

My mother is very talented so she makes all these wonderful cakes. As you can see from the photos, my kids are always planning months ahead what they will have for their next birthday.

Luckily in my english house I have a big enough dining room for all the kids, thats my daughter waiting desperately for the food to be served.

All these parties at home have not been plain sailing at all, I think my stress levels have been OTT, but still I like to punish myself and have them at home.

Baby shower invitations

I am printing off lots of my cards for samples today and to be photographed by Helen Rae photography for my new website, so I was inspired to design a couple of baby shower invites, what do you think?

The script card has a spotty back and colours can be changed.

New beginnings

I have lived in France now for just under 2 years and it has been an absolute rollercoaster, I have loved so much of our life here, but now our French experience is coming to an end. We are moving back to the UK very very soon, why you may ask give up good weather, a relaxed life, beautiful surroundings, the food, the wonderful weekly markets, the skiing, the beaches.
The reason is our little daughter, the french health system has been amazing and she has had wonderful treatment, but it is time to be home with my friends and family. My mother lived with us in france for nearly 5 months while my daughter was in hospital, I will never ever be able to thank my parents enough for giving up their lives to support us through such a hard time, but if she goes into hospital again I need to be in england in a familiar environment.
Also she needs a lot of special care and I need to be there and hold her hand every step of the way, to do this I need to speak the native language, so england here we come.
It is not the end of our French journey, we now have 2 bilingual children and good friends here, so we will back.

Why I love etsy

In the past week I have bought 2 things off etsy, one for my new study and inspiration for designs and maybe just maybe the artist will agree to do some designs for coco, if they look good. The other purchase is just a bit of luxury for me, this woman is so talented. I can not wait to receive my bracelet and she is going to stamp JJM on the coin instead of Gypsy - initials of my kids.

I think etsy is so so amazing, all these mainly women talented women selling their wares form all over the world - get shopping or just window shopping now.