Off to a great start ! 2011 Here we come !!

We had a great start this new year !

We went out on the 30th to celebrate New year's one day early and had a great time !  It was fun to get dressed up and get together sans kids :)  I ended up getting new red shoes for the occasion and was so excited until I started walking with them downtown Fort Worth and realized they were too big and kept leaving my foot...I had a very awkward walk ... it was funny ;)  

The Pacifier fairy came to visit and dropped a special train pillow in exchange for all his pacis...

We started organizing the upstairs at the house, we put away all the toys that Adrien grew out of, I organized his room, the playroom and all the closets upstairs.  What a relief !  I love starting the year with an organized house and a structured routine in place !  Adrien started school again and I continue teaching stroller Strides classes 3 times a week.  Our Tuesday/Thursdays have become our free time to meet our friends , clean/tidy the house.  Adrien is really a great helper and school taught him how to clean up and put his baskets or activites back in pace which helps a great deal !

Adrien loves his trampoline !  Thank you very much Ninne & Titou :)

 Making a berry crumble - He 's really into it :)
Adrien's  a great help in the kitchen. I  make dinner every night and he usually always offers to help.  His favorite part if either mixing ingredients with the whisk, breaking eggs, or cutting vegetables.  Once he's done with "his part" he tells me he has to finish off in his kitchen ;)

Adrien has been using his quad every day since we came back from florida,  even yesterday when it was raining he took it out for a few minutes.   He sometimes says his quad is a big fire truck, other days it becomes a train. It's fun !  Papa Ho Ho is happy to know he's using his imagination and enjoying his main gift this year !

 during our last trip to Ikea, Adrien asked to go in the kids playzone - since we went on a saturday, they were a lot of kids and we did not feel comfortable leaving him there but we let him sit in the kids area at lunch.  Christophe and I had a relaxing lunch together while Adrien chatted with other kids and watched tv .  He came to join us for desert ;) . . .could not resist a bite of their chocolate cake .

 Even in 30 degree weather Duff gets to walk twice a day :) I've been getting really good at adding layers after layers to keep warm and jogging helps ;)

We've been going to Yoga Story time every Wednesday for the last few months, Adrien really loves it !
I always forgot my camera until last week so here is a picture- Adrien is wearing a green shirt on the left- the yoga clock song is his favorite :) We now have a few of our friends coming so it's even more special !

 I experimented new recipes and Adrien and I got to make almond croissants and a galette des rois together !  So delicious and so much fun !

MY BIRTHDAY -

I met some my awesome Stroller Strides Mommies at Chuy's for lunch on my birthday.  I was not able to take everyone's picture - but here are a few- Thank you all so much for coming and making me feel so special !  I love being a part of such an amazing group of moms !!

Christophe and Adrien also celebrated my birthday that evening with my favorite : sushi and the 3 chocolate mousse cake ... MMMMH ! I love them both so much !  They sure know how to make me feel loved and appreciated ! Merci mes 2 anges !!

DEBI' S BABY SHOWER - welcoming her little buckaroo with a western themed baby shower :)

 Heather was the winner of the cowboy Hat toss - YEEHAW !!

 Debi and the hostesses :)

almost everyone at the party :) a lot of sweet and pretty cowgirls ;)

A PIECE OF WORK - FORT WORTH - Birthday fun with the girls :)

 as you can tell - we were all into it :)

All of us with our masterpieces !  It was so much fun !

 this place had a bell they would ring and we would have to drink when it rang- I've never been good at drawing or painting (but I'e always wanted to paint :) )and so I was super nervous of messing up ... it was nice though because of the fun atmosphere and being surrounded by my friends I was able to loosen up and enjoy the moment !  Best time !  the couple who own the " PIECE OF WORK " are very friendly.  I can't wait to go back with Christophe or friends again !

Debi ordered this delicious bundt cake - chocolate chocolate chip- MMMH !  It was delicious !

I'm so lucky to have met such wonderful friends - It was the first time that a whole evening was planned and organized for me - They said I could not bring anything and took care of all the food and wine, reserved the place !  How lucky am I ? !!! I am grateful to everyone for making me feel so special and appreciated !  I've met such an inspiring, kind , smart and fun group of friends !  Thank you !!!


So January is half way through and already I can say it's been a blast : full of fun times with family and friends,  cheering to a healthy and happy new year , cuddles, fun recipes,  wonderful friendships... Does it get any better ?

We shall see - 2011 Here we come !!

" Another fresh new year is here ....
another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with Zest
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs! "


William Arthur Ward


Make it a great year !

Joyeux Noel !

We had a wonderful time with my family in Orlando.  sorry I'm so late uploading the pictures :)
We really enjoyed seeing everyone and were grateful for our time together.

Adrien had an awesome time playing with Ninne and Titou - On Tuesday he actually spent two hours playing ball with Titou outside - Awesome quality time :)

He loves playing with Monoi, Luca and Hugo - they're all so sweet with him -

He got to go feed the ducks, go on bike rides..

...He even learned how to play pool with Ninne

chilling in the car !

Nice long walk in a beautiful park with my sisters, niece and nephews :)

Monoi & Hugo - Hugo took really cool pictures -

Luca and Adrien enjoying nature

Christmas eve dinner at my mom's 

 Adrien was proud to wear a tie like papa:)

 Merry Christmas!!! Joyeux Noel !!

 Adrien was so happy when his cousins arrived that night - the party could officially start;)

 christmas day :) Adrien woke up early and ran to the tree - he was so happy to see Santa's letter and checked the plate of cookies and glass of milk.

 Lara and Bertrand offered Adrien his first "Ridemaker" car at Disney.  He got to build his fireman truck from scratch - he was so amazed by the whole process and really loves his new truck.  Thank you so much !!

 Our friends Juliette, Franco, Gabriel & Aidan came to visit us- they drove all the way up from Miami - we were so very happy to be able to have a day with them !  Thank you so much !!!

 Adrien was so proud to have his own seat and enjoyed the meal we got in the plane.  

When he got home, he rushed to the tree and was ecstatic to see his "moto" - he's been riding it every day since we're back.  Merci Papa ho ho :)