Autumn is making it's way...

Sorry, for the absence, but have been quite busy...
Wishing you all plenty of Sunshine in your lives...

Paris with the Folks...

May 2007
Mom and Dad arrived to Paris the day Sarkozy became officially President of France....May 16th 2007...
We found our selves in the middle of the whole parade...and once in it hoping we would get a glimpse of our new president...but no such luck...we got a better look once at home in front of the TV....
Mom and Dad arrived fine and are staying in Paris in St. Germain a great little Hotel I found them Hotel St. Peres...
For 3 nights until they fly out to go on their exciting Cruise...''the Star Princess''...
They will be back in France and in Bazainville June 1st...We can't wait to see them again....
Lola, Chloé's and Dylan cousin was with us during a couple of days...The month of May has many holidays here in France, so we were happy to have Lola with us as well...
We took mom to visit the Musée du Quai Branly while dad had some things to take care of...
It's a beautiful Museum.
It was Jack Shirac's idea to create this museum, do to his love for ''Art Premier'' art of all the people...It is really a beautiful place...They had a Special expo on African Art...quite interesting...the kids loved it...
We ate at the ''the Terrace the panoramic restaurant on the last floor, created by designer Jean Nouvel...
Well all I can say it's the chairs were outstanding the rest I won't comment...I do not recommend the food the restaurant was a total rip off and it is not at all adapted for children....any way live and learn... Once we were done with lunch and Greg's wallet empty, and I had promised he could take my allowance of the week we saw an outrageous line to get into the museum, and Lola said, Tata mom didn't wait we went right in...I said yes my dear because mom is fully pregnant and they gave her priority, she then said well you should do the same...Well, I said ok here it goes, I tied the belt around my upper belly and blotted out, excuse me Sir were is the line for expecting mothers...right here mam...Greg couldn't believe it he then said aren't you embarrassed he thought you were FAT!!!! What ever at least we didn't wait and your not whining...We had a great day...and a couple of laughs...
The following day we let mom and dad have a romantic Parisian day, so we left them to enjoy themselves....
Saturday we headed in with Dylan because Chloé had her first Disco Birthday Party at a friends and really didn't want to miss it...We took the Folks to Bercy Village an area they have done near Bercy were they closed off all the roads and have created an outside Village with stores and lots of different restaurants quite nice and fun...Dylan brought along his skate board and then we headed to Trocadero were the Eiffel tower is to go skate around...
It's been a fun couple of days...Mom and dad are now in Denmark and Wednesday they should be at sea...
I will keep you posted....
kisses to all miss you so much
me

Happy Mothers Day...

Happy Mother's Day!
• This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, "It's alright honey, Mommy's here."
• Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.
• This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.
• For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who DON'T.
• This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes. And for the mothers who lost their baby in that precious 9 months that they will never get to watch grow on earth but one day will be reunited with in Heaven!
• This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.
• And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars, so that when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world," and mean it.
• This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.
• This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the (grand)mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.
• This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.
• For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And then read it again. "Just one more time."
• This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.
• This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.
• This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home -- or even away at college.
• This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away.
• This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.
• This is for all the step-mothers who raised another woman's child or children, and gave their time, attention, and love... sometimes totally unappreciated!
• For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14-year-olds dye their hair green.
• For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting.
• For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.
• This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.
• What makes a good Mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion?
• Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time? Or is it in her heart?
• Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time? The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby? The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when you just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in your home?
• Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?
• The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation...
• And mature mothers learning to let go.
• For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.
• Single mothers and married mothers.
• Mothers with money, mothers without.
• This is for you all.
• For all of us.
• Hang in there.
• In the end we can only do the best we can.
• Tell them every day that we love them.
• And pray.
• "Home is what catches you when you fall - and we all fall."
Happy Mothers day, you’re the BEST……..

Bazainville's Paëlla night...

Today it was a very fun day in Bazainville...They kids had their end of the year ''Boum'' (disco dance) followed by a big Paëlla party...all of this took place at the new ''Salle de Fête''( Bazainville's new Public Hall)...
So you see we always have a clown or two in our village and a great couple of parents who really try to organise some fun things for this Village to rock a little...
Bravo Bazainville...

Halloween in March!!! No it's the school Carnaval...

Today, Chloe and Dylan had their annual end of the year carnival...
Witches, cow boys, indians, cave men, africans, medieval characters, etc... paraded threw-out all of Bazainville...
Happy kids with hugs smiles, it was like halloween at the end of March....a burst of color on a saturday morning...
Chloe's class has been working on a big project concerning AFRICA....learning the history, culture, even corresponding with students from a school there...it has been a great adventure for the kids...they ended the big project with a play that they have been working on....a famous African story teller came to the school to read the kids several African fairy tales (comptes des fees ), the kids then mimed the stories read out-loud by their french teacher...
It was quite funny and very creative...so as you can see Chloe was dressed as an African Princess...
Dylan a bit more on the wild side decided to be a pre-historic man....a cave man... how sexy....
It has been a fun morning, we are now expecting Lola for the weekend....
hope you all started the day of great...
kisses and happy weekend

My Surprise last night...

My grego surprised me last night....
Took me out to dinner to what was supposed to be a romantic two...
at the Perching Hall...nice INN fancy Restaurant...
and there sitting with a glass of champagne in their hands were my best friends....
It was a great surprise...
The big 40....WOW
I still feel like I'm 20...I hope I'll always feel like this....
kisses to all
thank you all for everything...the flowers, the gifts, the beautiful words...
andrea

My grego's 40th Birthday...

What a Birthday party.....
Hello family and Friends,
Saturday night Gregory had the surprise of his life….
February 25th Gregory turned 40 and we blew out his candles while on vacation in Megeve…. gave him his presents, and spoiled him the way he ought to be….
But what he wasn’t expecting was what I have been planning for the past two months…. a Sexy-Surprise B-Day Party, re grouping the old gang from Paris and all the great new friends we have made over the years of living out in the country (suburbia)….
Meeting point his warehouse at 7pm on the dot….
Gregory’s Arrival time 8pm….
Under what pretext, showing the new lines to very important Italian agents…
Mounir and Claude two of his business partners were to take care of him all day so I could go in and finish all the decorating with my team of super girlfriends…
Well it worked as a charm, he didn’t suspect a thing…even as he arrived and saw all the balloons that decorated the stair case with the number 40 all over, he thought the guy up stairs was having a 40% off sale party…. What a geek my husband…
And what waited for him inside just blew him away….
The theme…Red and Black….
Poster size pictures of him as a child decorated the space, a fancy all out display of Balloons done by our friend Monique, A delicious spread of Italian food from Buongustaio created by our friend Marco, fun music, a slide show created by me and titled ''The Perfect man''... (Gregory’s life) accompanied by songs such as Wild thing, you’re the one that I want, hopelessly devoted to you, we go together, why can’t this be love, My perfect man…
It came out great…. then the hot sexy surprise...two sexy strippers Katia and Jessica who left all the men with their tongues hanging over their shoulders… I then rolled out a cake done by an American English teach, a Formula1 circuit and a Ferrari…all in chocolate cake…As he blew out his candles an enormous balloon full of red petals exploded and filled the room… we all pitched in for a great present…and May 27th we offered Gregory and two of his friends a Day at the circuit Club of Magny-Cour driving a F3 monospace… a day that they guaranteed will be one he will never forget, + a bonus on the 15th of May he is invited to the VIP of formula1…
We had a bath of emotions Saturday night. A night we will long remember….
Thank you all for coming , some more great memories that will long live in our hearts…
I’m sorry that all of you who are in the US live so far, but know that you were all there with us , I had all of you in my presentation….
Thank you all, and as my father always says, ''take the time to smell the roses''...
Enjoy life and every moment of it…
I send you all much love and plenty of sunshine…
Andrea
p.s. thank you for being in our lives…

To my Grego....
Mon ami, mon amour et mon mari... L’amour de ma vie, j’ai tellement de chance de t’avoir... chaque jour mon amour pour toi deviens plus fort, plus passionnée... Nous avons encore de nombreuse années de bonheur devant nous... Merci pour la vie magnifique que tu m’offres chaque jour...
Je t’aime
Happy Birthday my love..
me

Merry Christmas......

Christmas Letter December 2006,
No, no, no I haven’t forgotten my annual letter…..It’s just that on Dec 22nd I got the surprise of my life and my Christmas present early…..so I had to re organise my letter…
Well this year, with so much excitement in September we forgot to book our flights to Miami for
X-mas, when we realized flight prices were already sky high, we decided at that time to also check out flights for LA and found some reasonable tickets…so in talking back and forth the Antonioni’s and Seboun’s agreed , why not LA for Christmas….and New Years in Vegas….We could see Natasha’s new hair salon which by the way was inaugurated end of November and their brand new Home which they finally moved into beginning of December…..well it sounded like great fun, until dad announced to all of us that Mom’s heart problem was a bit iffy, do to some changes in medication…..don’t worry we’ll all come to you guys…..yea easier said that done….by this time no flights were available, and if there were they had connections and were outrageously priced…..
Conclusion Christmas everyone in their home!!!!
I was quite devastated and sad as Christmas I’ve always spend it with all of my family.... we hang with mom, dad, Pablito and the kids and welcome in the new year together.... I look so much forward in all of us being reunited, we all live so far away from each other, literally one in every corner of the world, but no matter were we are we somehow manage to get it together and make it for x-mas dinner....This year will be a bit different....
Well not for long as I got home Friday night from my last trip of the year to Spain, Greg greeted me and I asked him to bring Jose (our chauffer) a bottle of the wine….you go he said I don’t know were you put them….as I walked into the living room the first face I saw was Pablo….I was so shocked I guess my first thought was what happened why is he here, and as I walked in to hold him in my arms there were mom and dad….boy they blew me away….the best Christmas present ever….I wouldn’t of imagined them coming in a million dreams, specially with the cold weather we get at this time of the year…thank you for being so courageous and the best parents ever....I also thank my Grego for willing to deal with all of us under one roof in the cold....and my kids for being able to keep a secret...wow they really blew me away.....and then to top it off….The next morning Gussy called at 5am and said open the door, I’m down stairs, as I put the slippers on to run down stairs he said….just kidding….don’t worry I’ll get you back bro….but know I was a bit sad it was a joke….
Well I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and I wish you all a very magical and fun-filled New Year.
For us it’s been a fun and busy year.
Every year writing my letter has become like a great challenge, and a little project that takes me some time to do, but something I truly enjoy doing. I have been keeping a journal for several years now, well actually I have several journals around the house, but how to sum up a year in a couple of pages, not, so easy…So I sit and go threw pages of writings, recipes, photos, poems, notes and so on of things I paste and wrote threw out the year….notes from the kids, pictures they drew etc….so much happens every year…so many things that are now memories, but memories that hopefully I will never forget….so as I sit and write my letter I go threw so many memories and try and sort out the ones that really have marked our year and write them down, and maybe one day when Chloé and Dylan are big they go threw my letters and it will help them remember stories from the past....Chloe and Dylan are getting so big, they have changed so much the last year, specially Dylan, trying to affirm himself and convincing me everyday that he is becoming a little man now….Were is my little baby gone….I realize more than ever I should of gone for a number 3 because soon he’ll be calling me Andrea instead of mom, and I’m not ready for that yet…..
After the episode we endured last year with him and his head surgery, I reduced my travel to about 6 to 7 business trips a year…… Dylan is much better and what happened last summer is a closed chapter in our lives and much was learned…. thank you all for your concerns, support and your love…
This year Dylan turned 9 and started 4th grade, has been working extremely well in school and he reads beyond believe, he is a total poet, reads with such charisma that he makes you travel throughout his story readings….As a matter of fact last year he was asking to take acting lessons and this year I found him a fantastic theatre teacher and he loves it. The end of the school year they will performing in a big Play and he will be portraying Cesar….he continues his tennis and has made it to the ‘‘espoir’’ team, the team of all the future hopes as they call them….he has decided to let his hair long and no one can touch it once his combed it, God forbid he’ll have to start all over….he kisses me goodbye in the car now no question of doing it in front of his friends….and the other day he said to me ‘‘mom, I’ve been thinking instead of calling me Didou, Chou Chou, mon amour, angel, just call me DYLAN’’……well his just becoming a little man, I guess….
As for my Chloé, Gods bless her…. She is now 10 and in 5th grade, she has settled down a bit since last year, and that’s a good thing, she loves school and as Dylan has been working extremely well, I’ve been helping her quite a bit with work as this year has been a lot heavier since they are preparing them for college (middle school) and she loves the attention. The other day the teacher said Chloe is working outstandingly in class and she asked me if I got a private tutor, I said your looking at her, so that kind of made me feel good , but what makes me feel even better is hearing Chloé tell her dad that she prefers my method…lol…This year she has been able to analyse different perspectives to situations, I guess everything comes with age….She’s a computer wizard, knows how to surf around like a total pro, will even e-mail me files when I forget to down load them onto my laptop, she’s great…. She has been very loyal to her good friend Claire, and to her little friend Clement…Music and dance passionate her, and she really has a great rhythm, don’t know were she gets it from!!! She’s still taking modern jazz and this year both her and Dylan signed up for Hip Hop and they love it…she’s also taking an arts and craft course that she very much looks forward too, and every 2 weeks brings me a magnificent piece of art work…she’s a true free spirit, but quite wise and cautious yet very fashionista and in doing do leaves the room like a department store after x-mas day, I threatened to take a picture of her room and send it out as our x-mas card some thing like from my home to yours, (an idea a friend gave me, well her mom actually did do that) and so far so good it seems to be working out…so thanks my friend, don’t worry I won’t give away your identity away….
They have both filled my year with great joy and admiration as to how responsible they are willing to be…thank you for being so good, I must say, but thank you also for being kids…. You keep me young and on my toes….
As far as my Grego goes, his been so busy this year….Flying around the word from Bangkok , Hong Kong, Tunisia and New York, I think he’s got in enough miles in Air France this year to send us on at least two trips for free next year….He launched his two new lines DN67 and Noa Joe at the Salon de Prêt a Porte in Paris, in September and did quite well, hired a great team of new young fresh blood, cute too, to rep his lines and so far so good, the best is yet to come…
As far as I’m concerned I had a full year, the house as usual takes some percentage of my health, but I’ve also put some of that energy into my new membership at the gym Greg offered me in September....working on ‘‘the body’’...I would like to welcome the 40’s in better shape....I’ve also discovered a clinic in Versailles, the clinic of youth as I put it , with many youthful treatments, I mean lets be real after a certain age if we can help our skin to look younger, why not before having to get the ‘‘nip and tuck’’ action.... I’m still working, which is good in a big way, at least it keeps one foot in the door, and I do truly still enjoy my work, if it should be called work at all, I feel more like the expensive decorator!!! But, I am truly grateful they still need me...they are a great bunch...
Here is pretty much how the year passed by..... I tried my best.....to compress it....
February break we spend it in Courchevel Skiing with our close friends the Ribardier’s, this time we rented a chalet and it was great fun…Skiing the 3 Valleys, Meribel, Val Thorenes, Les Menuires and Couchevel, the largest skiing resort in the world…2nd week we flew to New York and landed in the Largest Snow storm New York has had in 20years… ‘‘The Blizzard’’ as they put it, was unbelievable….mom and Dad joined us from Florida and we spent a great couple of days together in piles of white snow which soon became slushy and muddy…If we would of know I wouldn’t of unpacked the moon boots....Showing New York to the kids was great fun , The Empire state Building with King Kong greeting us at the door, The Statute of Liberty, I even took them to Brooklyn and we walked the Brooklyn bridge back to the city, go to even see the Beauty and the Beast on Broadway, being back brought so many memories…Got to see my close friends, Karen, Megan, David and Nadine, Chris and Bernadine…As we said bye, bye to New York and all the hamburgers in a nice stretch limo Greg surprised us with , I wondered when we will be back in this magical place….
March 23rd the same day as moms Bday Bella Badila du Clos des Aubepines was born, Chloé and Dylan’s long awaited x-mas present. A Golden Retriever, as beautiful as Nikita but boy has she done some good damage, the garden looks like a hurricane hit it, Greg’s car has scars all over it, she’s so big she’s like a Beethoven we actually hesitated with that name since it’s the year of the B…Poor Mimi has been terrorised by her, but Nikita is thrilled to have a new friend…
April we headed to our favourite place...Island Maurice to celebrate Easter Break. This time we stayed at the Dina Robin Hotel which was fabulous, it part of the Beachcomber hotels…We left again with the Hanse family, It’s becoming a little ritual….This trip we bumped into some friends that also live in Bazainville literally backdoor neighbours….too funny it’s really becoming a small place. I tried Golfing for the first time and loved it, have made it my top sport on my list…
Month of May was a busy travelling month as both Greg and I were preparing Collections, Mom and Dad celebrated their 42nd anniversary in Rome and would soon be coming to visit....I also started my cooking classes, which by the way I love...
In the beginning of June Mom, dad and Gustavo were with us for a couple of days, and then Caroline came and stayed with us before she would leave for China for a whole year in September...
June was quite a special month for me, for several years now I have wanted to join an association and help children who have been abused or abandoned I’ve been wanting to help those who are less fortunate and have lost faith and hope...and in having no luck in finding something close to home I decided to go to Lourdes, in return for all the blessings I get daily in my life. This year finally I was able to prepare my family for this long awaited pilgrimage.
It’s not evident to share such a spiritual trip and experience with just anyone, my friend Catherine has been doing this the past two years and has shared her experiences with me something that not many people are receptive to, therefore she knew I would love to share this trip with her, another special person that I wanted to extend the invitation to was my dear friend Danny from Argentina that now lives in Miami. Danny has had an extremely difficult year loosing a very dear friend to Cancer a battle that has left him very exhausted. This trip would help to re focus and to get some of that love back and to realise that we must not loose hope and faith.
My experience in Lourdes has been one that I will never forget… I felt great love. Love and a superior energy that you get from the powerful presence of everyone there and even more so from the patients who suffer from all kinds of diseases who were there to received our humble help… We left with the Pilgrimage Dioceses of Castellon (Spain). It is an impressive organisation. Our mission was to participate as transporters this meant transporting the sick in their wheelchairs, or chariots to the different prayers, the grout, the bathing baths, but most important to have discussions with them to simply talk to them, share with them, give them hope, love, courage and of course hugs and kisses something that most of them are missing in their daily lives, during a week of prayers, masses and pilgrimage… I learned many things there and had some amazing miracles happen to me personally I will share them with anyone who would like to listen…
July we finalised collections and I left early with the kids for the US were Chloé and Dylan would soon start camp...
I signed them up at the American Heritage camp in Plantations Fl...about 20min bus ride from mom and dads apartment in Aventura...They loved it, Dylan played Tennis all day and video games and of course spoke English or should I say Spanish, one day he came home and said Mom I love this camp, Tennis and Video games all day and when I’m tired I just say ‘‘me duele la cabeza’’ , I said, ‘‘what?’’ ‘‘Me duele la cabeza,’’ Dylan, I said ‘‘you’re supposed to be talking in English, not in Spanish, what will, I tell your dad”....
Chloé literally lived a movie at that camp, her friends where so pretty all of them, little Barbie’s, the campus was amazing, she was living ‚‘‘The High School Musical”, she made so many friends she’s even e-mailing with some....and while they had fun I also got to enjoy my freedom a bit, I even got to see Madonna in concert, what a great night I had....thanks guys....
July was also a month of reconnecting with family got to spend some time with Gus, Pablito, Dario and Natasha who even made it out to see us, and I also got to see my cousin Mario from Mar del Plata, that was a great joy, it had been 6 long years…
Greg joined us in August, we were so happy to see him it had been a while...and soon we headed for Connecticut for this year we had our 20th year high school reunion....We first stopped in Philadelphia to visit uncle Mike and Tata and my cousin Alex it was great fun, we were sorry to miss the cousins who had just left for Argentina, we even went bowling....
Then we drove to Connecticut saw the old house in Darien and in Greenwich, gosh we relived so many memories...
We spent a whole day with the Engel’s on a magical island of Rowayton and had an amazing day with them and that night at The Tokeneke Club in Darien we reunited with all of our high school friends, 20 years later...it was so much fun, they all look amazing, have great situations and have created beautiful families....and boy did we party....I drank for 4 days straight If I stopped I think I would of passed out...
Even Greg danced....
September the year started for all of us again....Back to school and back to work...Greg had his big Show, Nadine Siskin my dear friend came for the shows and stayed in our home, we had great fun and she filled our home with great laughter, we miss ya.
Then we got a great surprise Cecilia and Arnaud’s announced wonderful news, that their expecting a little baby for 2007…how exciting a new baby…
October 2nd was a day of celebration, La Hacienda Azul is all ours...We finally finished our loan, no more loans hanging over our head.... Going back, I can remember the day we booked the appointment with the agency….how time fly’s by….
This year we celebrated Halloween at ‘‘Le Domain de Cleris’’ about 15 minutes after Fontainebleau, were Catherine and Olivier own a beautiful weekend Lodge house…It’s in a gorgeous Domain surrounded by a golf course, a pony club, huge inside and out door pools, Tennis, Ping-Pong, soccer field….and so on and so on….In the middle sits an amazing Chateau that has been converted into a hotel, many events are also held there for the residents of the domain….Halloween being one of them….kids had a blast trick-or-treating…..
Beginning of November we enjoyed Mamie Paul who was in Paris for a short visit this is Grego’s grandma from his father’s side, She’s 86 years old, incredible, very coquette (elegant) and still wears her high heels...It is always so nice to see her…
Thanksgiving we spent it around our table with the Macaire’s and the Hanse, Grego unfortunately was travelling the orient and was much missed...
November .......Bella finally stopped chasing Mimi (our cat )out of her own home...Mimi has finally some peace in her life....I guess she finally understood Mimi is part of the family...took her a while, thanks Mimi for being so patient....
This month I also decided Brunettes have more fun and died my hair Chocolate...started a little trend in my village because now all the blonds I knew are turning chocolate...lol....
The first weekend of December we had our towns ‘‘Marche de Noël’’ which was quite fun and original, many moms including me worked very hard at making x-mas crafts to sell and join money for the kids school. We also purchased our Christmas tree at the fair so the money would go for the school, soon the Hacienda Azul was bursting of Christmas spirit...
The 24th we drove over with our huge surprise to the Bittoun’s (Greg’s mom’s house), were we were a total of 30 for dinner, Jocelyne and the girls had prepared a heck of a feast....Thank you the Bittoun’s for such a great Christmas Feast....
So to my dear family and friends were ever you are I hope this year brings all of you great joy, health, love and much magic....
Dario, Natasha, Gussy and Caroline you were much missed by all of us, and hope you had a special Christmas Eve.
All the best from all of us at La Hacianda Azul....
Gregory, Chloé, Dylan, Nikita, Bella, Mimmi Rogers and me…..xxxoooxxx

Good bye Blondie, here is the new me....

Good bye Blondie, here is the new me....
Hey I needed a change....and my hair needed a break!
Hope you are all ok, here the cold has started to make its way threw...burr!!!!
Thanksgiving is almost here, I can almost smell it....Gus are you going to be around?
I've gotten so used to your presence here at this time of the year that it will be weird with out you here...
Greg won't be here this year as he is travelling on Tuesday for Hong-Kong and India and won't be back until the 28th of the month...
As usual we will be spending it with the Macaire's, my Jenny and her family and The Hanse family, my other Jenny, who has been joining to our table the past 2 years...I feel really blessed to have them in my life, they have become my family here.
We will be celebrating it on Saturday as the kids have school on Friday and we like to hang around and chat till late...with drinks of-course....
This year I'll be preparing one of my famous salads on entree....what else.....
As a main dish, a Chapon (a capon in English) a castrated domestic cock fattened for eating (much tastier than chicken).... sautéed with Marrons (chestnuts)...
Accompanied by my mom's famous grilled potatoes and sweet potatoes.....with a tasty cream mayonnaise...
Jenny M will be in-charge of the wine and Jenny H of cheese platter and desert...
Franc will be the only man as Greg and Stephan will not be here, so he'll just have to deal with all of us all by himself...
We need a man to cut the poor Chapon....and pour the drinks...and of-course to sit at the head of the table...
I wish you all a very warm, cosy, tasty thanksgiving, and know that I will be thinking of all you as we hold hands to give thanks...
Missing you
Warm thoughts
Andrea and the gang....

Me and Chloé...

Quick Question-Long Answere.....

Today I received an e-mail from my brother ……
Hey sis – nice pictures it always amazes me how much of a mother you are. Where you get the energy I’m not sure.
Okay t- this bring me to my question...
Between you and Greg – which one wanted to move to the country?
How did you come to terms with that decision?
At first you both lived in the city right? In the apartment in Paris. Then you guys bought the house.
Whose idea was it to look for a house out in the middle of nowhere?
Who did the research?
Was it a team thing or one of the 2 of you?
Anyhow – I wanted to know.
I’m craving to be outside the city – in the openness.
I need nature in my life desperately. I just have to get Natasha on the same wavelength as me. And if I can’t then I’m just going to turn into an asshole. Nature’s call is that strong.
Send my love to the kids-
Your bro
_d
Well first, I don’t know where I get the energy, but thank goodness I get it, it must be hereditary, just look at how strong mom is…
To answer you questions, in your mind, whom do you think wanted to move to the country?
You know I think it’s only natural that you have these feelings, we grew up in big houses all our lives, with huge gardens and in the woods…nature always surrounded us weather we noticed it at times or not….Then we went of to schools with great campuses specially you and Gus , I was mostly surrounded by housing projects and kids with no future….but that’s another story….And me personally I loved all that energy and thrived on it at that period of my life….Yosh… New York there was nothing else like it at that time of my life, except to one day live in Paris the most beautiful city in the world….and I still think that….
I finally got the courage and decided to make a go for it…I must have been searching for pain and solitude…well thank god love kept me going because if it were for the friendly French it’s a long time ago I would of hung up my French beret….
Paris was so beautiful, I could believe I lived in such an amazing place, surrounded by so much history and culture. We also had a great apartment and paid a great deal of money for it, then Chloe was born, and even though Paris still seemed to be great, the country side of Paris seemed even greater….I had been outside of Paris many times, to Versailles, Saint Germain-en-Laye, Fontainebleau, Chantilly, Deauville, gosh I could go on the list is so long, What I realized very quickly is that the minute you left Paris the Peripheric (the highway that surrounds Paris) well it’s all farm land….Green, Green and super Green…I could picture Chloe outside in her own yard playing with her own doggie, and me working in the garden, summer nights with long candle light dinners, smoking cigarettes as the huge white moon would be shinning over our property, smelling the morning dawn, running out side and making snowflakes when it would snow, oh I could smell the fire from the chimney we would own ….
That’s it. It was time to move on….
Find a place out in the country, give me green, give me air and give me space…Paris will always be there….but I changed, I was growing into something else, something that I was looking forward in exploring, and I wasn’t afraid….I just had to make Greg understand this change that was occurring inside me and either he changed with me or it was going to be a bit of a bumpy ride for us….once he understood that change was not something definite but something different, that we could both grow from and that if it didn’t work out , well Paris was not to far away , we could always go back. It’s ok to change; it shows we’re growing. So don’t be afraid….
Today, we wouldn’t give anything back for the life we have today. Everyday I discover a new places in my own small village, wood walks that I never dared before to take, and when I’m there walking I tell myself gosh I’m glad I changed….
Many times I have dreams of the Farm dad used to own in Argentina, all those fields, gold fields I would tell him, they would go on and on as far as your eyes could see, I often dream that one day I’ll own some fields and have all those feelings again….
But for now I’ll settle for the fields that surround me and for the farmers work I admire….as far as my Grego goes well it’s been ten years now, and from time to time he’ll complain about the commute, but when he gets home and hangs his coat he is in another place , a place we wouldn’t give up….
The west side of the outsides of Paris always had great reputation, money, good schools, famous people moving out there, so when we finally decided, we went west….a good investment we figured, at least that…What I wanted for sure was a super old house, so we bought all these fancy magazines showing the most splendorous homes…
One agency kept coming up with houses that really caught our eyes, we called and
gave them a full description of what we were looking for how far from Paris, how big, materials etc that we liked, and sure enough they had several things we may like…excitedly we booked a weekend with them and of to the country we went….
That day she showed us ‘’La Havienda Azul’’, the first house we visited out of 10 planned that day…for me it was love at first sight, I couldn’t believe it, this was it, gosh was it the way I listed everything I wanted in a house, was this agency really this good, or was it a miracle…soon Greg broke what ever of a miracle that was by saying relax, we still have some more houses to see….No, you see this is the one….It was perfect, I had live in so many places before, that I could totally see potential and the new face lift I would be giving it with time, I was ready to make out the check right then and there…We went on to see the rest of the houses that were planned for us that day, but of course nothing came close to Haciazul, and by the end of the week I won and we sighed for Haciazul….Slowly it’s come a long way, as we’ve live it, it lives with us…It’s cozy, and homey, it’s live able and child free, it has become us over all these years…we are all quite attached to it specially the children…
I have put so much love into this house, I see myself having a very hard time to ever part from it, it has it’s faults here and there but we still love it, and maybe one day it will be perfect, but for now it will do just fine….
Oct 2, 2006, Gregory called me static, said to me ‘’do you know what day is today?’’ ‘’Yea’’, I said, ‘’It’s Moday, and the kids have their school picture’’….’’no’’…’’no’’ ‘’what?’’ ‘’Today it’s ours…La Haciaenda Azul is ours’’….he didn’t know but tears filled my eyes, I never thought we would own some thing so big…..and in France of all places….A house with a name…I’ve moved so many times in my life before, loaded up cars full of boxes, gone up and down stairs with stuff, so much stuff, to a new door where a new key would fit, and to move every time was like walking away from a cluster of memories and to buy is to choose where the future will take place…So you see times fly’s by and before you know it your living in the future….
I hope this has answered your questions, but most of all I hope you realize that only you have the key to your future….
I love you brother and will always be here for you….so if nature is calling don’t be an as whole, just come take a long walk with me….
Love
Your sister

Halloween....

Hello , I hope you all had a spooky Halloween....
We sure did...
Tuesday morning we headed out to ‘‘Le Domain de Cleris’’ about 15 minutes after Fontainebleau, were Catherine and Olivier own a beautiful weekend Lodge house…
It’s in a gorgeous Domain surrounded by a golf course, a pony club, huge inside and out door pools, Tennis, Ping-Pong, soccer field….and so on and so on….In the middle sits an amazing Chateau that has been converted into a hotel, many events are also held there for the residents of the domain….Halloween being one of them this week….
The domain is split up into the English cottages and the American lodges, both being completely different architecture which is quite nice….and all this sits in an amazing forest surrounded by lakes, absolutely beautiful….You really feel like your in Connecticut…kids can ride their bikes freely and just have a blast…
We didn’t even see them actually, as we enjoyed each other company; the kids went about the domain and had a blast….
Victoria, had Voltage lessons as Chloé sat on the side line watching in admiration……Dylan and Maximillian were absorbed by the video games, and kept going for another revenge….
We started the first fire of the year, the temperature has really dropped since yesterday and to sit by a fire was a real treat…then came Halloween night, Chloé and Victoria were witches but of the good ones of course…and Dylan Frankenstein….well I tried!!!! Then the door bell rang and trick-or-treat began….So many kids, It was a great treat because this holiday has pretty much lost interest in France which is kind of sad because the kids love it…but I can understand the French it’s Saints day and all of a sudden you got all these skeletons walking around!!! Were is their sense of humor!!!!lol!….By midnight bags full of candy arrived, makeup was removed and monsters were put to bed….The next morning we woke up to Pussy (yes that’s her name) whining noises, which was just as well because a gorgeous day broke threw…Cathy got her apron on handed me one and in the kitchen we went for my lesson on how to make a paella as the men played backgammon, once we finished the delicious feast off we went for a long walk….
That late afternoon we parked the bikes and headed back to our Bazainville…
Merci pour c’est super Halloween Les Ribardiers…..
Bisous…

Just a bunch of Questions.....

I woke up this morning, and this was the first e-mail I recieved...I figured I'd post it....

1. What time did you get up this morning? 12noon, can you believe it...but actually it's 11 because we changed time zone...and well last night I went to bed at 3am....
2. Diamonds or Pearls? diamonds of-course.....
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? same "Nausica'' the Valley of the Wind (lovely) I was with you.....
4. What is your favorite T.V. show? Grey's Anatomy.....I'm in love with Derek Sheppard....
5. what do you eat for breakfast? start of with a tea and what ever then a nice expresso.....
6. What is your middle name? Karina
7. Favorite cuisine? Italian
9. What is your favorite chip flavor? dill and sour cream
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? La Oreja de Van gogh
11. What kind of car do you drive? Volvo
12. Favorite sandwich? pastrami on toasted rie bread
13. What characteristics do you despise? hypocrisy and jealousy
14. Favorite clothes? pajamas
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation,where would you go? India, I'd love to visit India, it's one of the only places I haven't been too......
17. Favorite brand of clothing? DN67, and Noa Joe, if I don't say that my husband would kill me....
18. Where would you retire to? Retire? can we retire!!!!!
19. What was your most memorable birthday? My dad's 60th birthday in Paris...It's also the day I got Married.....
20. Favorite sport to watch? Soccer and tennis...
21. Farthest place you are sending this? China and Argentina
23. Person you expect to send it back first? Caroline
24. Goal you have for yourself? get my body back some day......
25. When is your birthday? March 21, 1967
26. When is your Anniversary? November 20th 1995
27. Are you a morning person or a night person? Night
28. What is your shoe size? 8 or (39) in europe
29. Pets? Nikita, Bella (our two golden Retrievers) and Mimi or awesome cat or 1/2 dog ....
30. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? Found my first white hair......
31. What did you want to be when you were little? an artist
32. What are you today? an artist
33. What is your favorite candy? jelly beans
34. What is your favorite flower? white margaritas
35. What is a date on the calendar you are looking forward to? Christmas as I do every year....Were ever we are we all seem to find our way back home....my parents house.....

Dylan's dream.....

Today Dylan woke up and said to me….. ‘‘mom I dreamed about my dream again’’….
‘‘Again’’ I said…. ‘‘yep’’… ‘’well let’s see, tell me all about your dream’’…..
and he began….
‘‘We woke up…. at 9:30 I opened the door for Mr. Ludovic and got one baguette and 4 croissants with the money you left on the desk…gave him 4euros…then I went to play with my dogs and told Nikita and Bella that there was a big surprise today….we were going to walk the fields with Rusty….Isn’t that great Niki you and Rusty will be free in the fields, you can run wild and have fun….and Bella you and August can finally meet…and I , well, I just walked and walked in the fields….we drive by them all the time but now I was really in the fields walking in them, and breathing in all the colors and the fresh clean air…I could hear the wind, and the birds singing in the woods, I could even hear the leaves flying in the air and slightly rubbing against each other as they would land on the muddy road…you’d be in the background chatting away with Jenny and the girls laughing and giggling about….Niki, Bella, Rusty and August would be by my side as we left the fields and entered the woods….In the woods, I would hear more wild noises, smell more funny smells like skunky smells and horse poops, I could hear the cranking of the branches as we would walk by, and then I would picture myself on my bike….could I take my bike, I would ask you….no, you can’t do everything Dylan…..you would say….and then at the end of the road that was laid there in the woods, as if it was painted for anyone to walk on, an opening a light would lead us out again onto the fields….and then my dream ended with a zillions of flowers and water all over…..
‘‘Wow what a dream, Didu….well, guess what. I have a surprise….
And off we went to have coffee with Jenny in Monchauvet and a long walk with all the dogs…
Our walk ended at the ‘‘Lavoir’’ of Montchauvet the ‘‘wash house’’ where it was blooming with flowers and the dogs went in for a long bath….so did everyone’s boots….
And as we headed home Dylan looked at me and said, hey mom my dream came true today….even if I didn’t have my bike….I saw one….
Je t’aime
xxxoooxxx
I thank god everyday for the life he has given, me and the family that embraces me....
Sending you all lots of love and sunshine....
have a wonderful weekend....

A long ride...

Well it's finally official the kids are all signed up for all of these years’ activities...
One more thing to check out off on my To do list...
Chloé is taking modern Jazz with Stephan Monday nights...this amazing dancer-teacher who danced 15yrs with a very famous French ballet dancer...
Tuesday they are both taking hip hop(rap dancing) with Ingrid another amazing dancer, she has danced with Mya Frie, Madonna, Yannick Noa at the M6 awards, Hit machine, and the list goes on and on...they'll be putting on 3 shows at the end of the year at the theatre in Thoiry ( a very famous village near by)..
Saturday June 23rd 2007 and Sunday June 24th 2007 to be exact... (Just in case anyone of you is in town you’re more than welcome to come!)
Wednesday Dylan has 1.5 hrs of Tennis in the morning he has made it to ''les espoir'' group this year (the children of the future hopes), then he has theatre class with the coolest and prettiest comedian teacher and then I cruise off to drop Chloé and Claire at arts and craft class...
Thursday back to one more lesson of 1.5hrs Tennis for Dylan...
Friday I'm off duty...the chauffer hat is hung up until Monday comes around again...
Today after school Chloé went to Claire’s house to work on a school project and I promised Dylan a long Bike ride,
I joined a group of ladies that ride in the village 3 times a week so Dylan of course wanted to check out my bike rides...
13.6 kilometres later he could not speak anymore and was sore all over ( so was I) and left me in peace until his sister got home at 5pm...
Another great exercise I found to wipe them out a bit and at the same time I get an effective workout...
Grego left this morning super early for New York and will be back Tuesday morning...
It would off been great to take off with him for a weekend of romance but we always have the same problem ''who to leave the kids with'' and we don't live in Paris near the family....I told some girls at school this morning and I got yelled at, ''why didn't you call me!!!'' What can I say I hate to impose...?
But next time I will I told them....
Well hope you’re all having a great weekend...
Miss you all lots...
Kisses
andrea
Dylan and I in for a long ride...

Hope you all had a great week end...
Saturday morning we woke to our boulanger’s (bakery's) Mr. Besnard’s horn...he comes every morning except Thursdays and Fridays with fresh baguette and croissants...and other goodies...
So I rushed to the door to buy breakfast and of course get the gossip of town, he loves to chat....I finally told him I had the water burning and that I had to go....I mean I just hopped out of bed, how much longer could I be outside looking like that!!!!
Greg worked all day, so after our nice breakfast I picked up Jenny and Julia and we headed out to St.Quentine-en-Yvelines to the Mall.
We walked around shopped a bit, had lunch and saw a movie...NAUSICAA...a Japanese cartoon film...pretty good...
Then we headed back home to drop off Jenny...saw a parachute in the fields...finally took a picture of the Princes stone wall for my blog....and then we headed to Houdan to La Fête Foraine....(A Village Fair)…
Sunday....Today we cleaned out kids closets...I can't believe how fast they grow out of their clothes....I made two huge piles for Lola and Lea, the rest I sell at the next brocante (tag sale)....
Dylan helped me with some new kitchen cabinets and then we went for a long walk with the dogs and surprisingly Greg joined us...
The sun finally made it's way threw so it was quite nice....
Hope you all had a great week end...
Kisses to all and
Happy Sunday!!!!
The gang in France...
Here are some pictures....

Happy Birthday my little man...

Today was my little price Dylan’s 9th Birthday….Hard to believe how fast time goes by…
We started of the day with a nice brunch at noon with the Bittoun’s...and then at 2pm all the kids showed up, Perrine, Hélène, Claire, Kéridwen, Raphaël, Remy, Lou, Claire, Lea and Lenny... and we headed out to LUDIMAX and attraction party place were they organise everything, it’s like the games at Mc Donald’s but 20 times the size and the kids go wild for 3 hours…they have BDay cake, candies, they open presents, then once their nice and wiped out we head home at the speed limit of course don’t want to rush things and usually as we arrive to the door there are already some parents waiting, we give them a nice big bag of surprises, a bisou and see ya tomorrow in school…before they can turn the house upside down one more time the door bell rings and one by one they disappear…Dylan had a great day and when he blew out all of his candles he made a great speech…Something new I decided to add in their lives…Since he’s taking theatre classes now I thought I’d take advantage of the situation and make him practice, he’s quite good and he made me a very proud mom today…
Happy birthday my little man, I am very proud of you always…
Love
Mommy
xxxoooxxx

Rise with it....

Hello everyone today is Wednesday and as you know by now Chloé and Dylan don't have school on Wed...So this morning I decided to take them all for a very long walk....1 and ½ h of country and farm land, it was a very beautiful morning...

These long walks are such therapy for me, Sometimes I get all caught up in my own stuff as we all do, the house, work, the kids, just simply overwhelmed, and taking the time to walk it off specially in such a surrounding is like a sort of renewal...I realise that every sunrise is like a new page, a new beginning, a chance to right ourselves and receive each day in all of its wonderful glory. As Opera says ''No matter what our troubles, when the earth turns on its axis one more time and we see what appears to be the sun rising, I feel it's the universe calling for a change in ourselves. You have one more day...Rise with it!''
I send all of you lots of energy and light...
Have a great day...
Kisses, Besos, Bisous
Me
xxxoooxxx
A Little message for my Caroline....

P.S. My Dear Caroline have a great safe trip tomorrow to China...We are all so proud of you, and we are with you everyday...You know if it's just too much you get on a plane and you head right home....we will be picking you up...
We will miss you, go get them girl!!!!!
MERDE!!!! Good Luck!!!!
A bien tôt
bisous

The Brocante of Montchauvet....

Happy Sunday!
Today was Montchauvet's Annual Brocante and I have been doing it with Jenny for the past 4 years...
Lynn our english girl friend joined us this year and instead of 5 meters we got 7 meters of selling space....

''Jenny, me and Lynn....ready to sell....''
Well I showed up at 5:30am the town was all quite and dark, I wanted to get there early because its hard to find parking if you show up any later
and the usual customers start off very early, before I even set up the table they already wanted to go threw my boxes...in the dark...I don't even know how I was able to get around Jenny's ''Grenier'' her garage storage...

infront of us ''La Jument Vert very famous restaurant in Montchauvet....as the day starts to open up...''

''the stand next to us, fresh Brioche...''
Well we had a great day and sold quite a lot....by 11am Jenny got some Pinot Rouge from a guy in the village who makes it himself, that warmed us up and got us real friendly....then for lunch she prepared this great feast for us with a nice bottel of Rosé so you can imagine we had a hell of a time, by the end of the day we were giving the stuff away....Well the night before I had done two trips to Jenny's house to drop of stuff and I said to myself no way am I doing this on the way back....one trip only so get rid of the stuff....the rest of the stuff that didn't go, I will be giving to my friend Laurance who does her annual trip to Senegal and always asks for stuff for the kids out there, last year I gave her two full suitcases full of goodies, and she's still thanking me for them...
The kids all had a blast, Montchauvet is a great little town, and everyone is so nice....
I hope you all had a great Sunday....

The Beginning of the year...

I hope you all started the month of September well...
Kids started school and are very happy with the new teachers and their classmates...
Greg and I also started working, this month is the trade shows in Paris, and so we have been quite busy...
Greg had his show at the Prêt a Porter he presented his two new lines Noa Joe and DN67 and things went great, he met some amazing people, and hired all his sales reps...Now hopefully they'll start writing orders....
Next month I start travelling back to Spain starting on collections....September is always like the beginning of the year a brand new white page that starts to get full of brand new things...
I hope you all started of this month great and that the kids are enjoying the New Year...
Our summer was amazing, full of emotions and great new encounters, it was great to go back to Connecticut and see everyone we had a great summer...
kisses to all
Andrea

Greg and I, at The Darien High School football field...where we met 20 years ago...

August 2006

We just got back from what was a great summer…
Five weeks of reconnecting with family got to see all of them even, Gus, Dario and Natasha, my cousin Mario from Mar del Plata who we got to see for a brief 2 days in Miami, my bambies Jackie and Ingrid, Danny, visiting uncle Mike & Tata and my cousin Alex in Philadelphia, a stop in New York, the big apple, were we got to see my dear friends, Chris and his beautiful family, Megan and Karen, and then we went 20years back, yep this summer Greg and I had our 20th high school reunion in Connecticut we visit our old homes, the school, Greg’s host family and great friend Richard, his wife Tara and they’re new baby boy, we spent a great afternoon with Mary and her beautiful family along with Gillian and the boys at the Wee Burn Beach Club, saw all of The Engel’s and spend the most wonderful morning in a magical Island, spent some time with my dear friend Andy who made it all the way from Zurich, and then the fun part…we got to see almost our whole class of 86…So this is a little e-mail thanking all of you our family and dear friends for having had made our summer so special, and also letting you all know what an awesome time it was to be with all of you, you all look amazing, you have created beautiful families, and it seems as all of you are also doing great in your lives, and I can’t tell you how happy and great it was to go back, when people ask me what did you expect it to be like, who were you looking forward in seeing etc…to tell you the truth living so far I was just so happy to be able to go this time and seeing everyone that I saw just brought back so many great memories, I mean I arrived to Darien when I was 12 and did from Hollow Tree, to Middlesex Junior High, to Darien High School there so that’s a couple of years a great deal of friends, and I must say you all look awesome, so to my friends here is too you! I hope we’ll be able to make the next one, but for the time being let’s try to keep in touch, and know that if you’re ever in Paris, France we would love to take you out so just give us a ring…

Having fun....

Well we have been having fun, enjoying the family, the sun, and the pool…and yes how could I leave out that monstrosity of ‘‘The Mall’’…just the other day we were taking about how much we are really loving Aventura I’m really happy my parents are out here, it really is great fun and young.
Sunday we did Lincoln Road, had lunch at Rosinnella’s an Italian restaurant that has become our Sunday place now for several years , we know the owners pretty good and it’s fun to catch up… now every other Sunday on Lincoln Road they have like a ‘‘marche’’ ( a market) fruit, flowers etc, it’s quite fun, and always what we love of Lincoln Road is that all the doggies are out on they’re walks so the kids love the show, and it sure is a show , some are all dressed up , some even have they’re hair dyed, it’s too cute …
This week we saw one more film John Tucker, too funny! A high school flick, Chloé loved it.
Last night Jackie and her husband Jonathan (one of my good friends out here) invited us to her house for a drink and then out to dinner. They just finished the house and it looks unreal, very Tuscany with a twist of modern but done in such a way with rich colours that it’s very cosy and warm, I just loved it and what impeccable details, Bravo! my friend…then we headed out to Quattro a new restaurant on 1014 Lincoln Road it just opened two days ago, Gastronomia Italiana, Great place I strongly recommend if your in the area, we had a great time catching up.
Well tomorrow we are off to Philadelphia to see my uncle and god father Mike, my aunt Tata and my cousin Alejandro for two days before heading out to New York and then Connecticut we’re were going for our 20th High School Reunion…We’ll keep you posted…It’s sure going to be fun catching up with old times….

Jackie, Lissi, Carla and I… Quattro Restaurant Aug 06
Lissi and Carla Jackie’s sisters just so happen to show up, it was great seeing them again…

Grego finally arrived….

My Grego finally landed this afternoon in Miami, I picked him up and we rushed to the house so he could see the kids get of the school bus…We made it just on time for their arrival…they were so happy to see their daddy, it feels great to be all together. Well there was certainly so much to catch up on it’s been a while since we’ve been this long apart, but he had so much work and with the new shows and all he had a lot of preparing to do.
Well today we just relaxed and caught up…Last night Danny invited me for dinner at his place along with Rita and her partner they live right next door to Danny a great couple we had a wonderful dinner, Danny’s place is lovely he has impeccable taste. I had a great time, can’t wait for Greg to see his place.
Tomorrow Gus is inviting us all out to Lunch; he’s been so busy with work that we haven’t been able to spend a lot of time with him, so we’re looking forward to it.

My best girlfriend ever….

We met exactly 10 years ago…My friend Joëlle who at the time was my neighbour said, ‘‘I know an American girl who lives in the village, I’ve got to make the both of you meet’’…and she did and since that day we have been friends…
My friend Jenny is so special, so special because she’s so simple, so loving, and such a good friend. She’s there to listen, to walk with me, go shopping, we even go to gym classes together but most of all she make me laugh so much. She can always put a smile on my face. She’s so talented, and intelligent. She used to be a very famous model and when we met was so humble about it, she reads like a book worm and has learned to write the most beautiful stories, her books are now published, she does all the illustrations her self, she’s an amazing artist, she has 3 children ‘‘The twins’’ who are now 20 and a little girl who is soon going to be 12, she’s the coolest mom, she’s married to a Famous Polo player and is in love with him like the first day they met, she has travelled the world and has the most fascinating stories…she is always so positive and is always there to push me when I’m down…she has been there for me so many times, working the shoe shows when I started my own business, taking care of my kids when I have to travel, making sure the kids speak English at all times, always supports the craziest ideas that come to my head, calling me every hour when my son went under surgery, corrects my spelling and gives me great writing advice, and sometimes we don’t even need to talk, she’s an awesome friend, and I just wanted to let her know how much I love her…and how much I respect and admire her.
She just lost her dad this month and I’m so far away from her, I wish I was there just to take her in my arms and give her a huge hug and hold her hand and just walk. I miss you Jenny and I’m so sorry that your hurting, we are all with you and we are thinking of you on this special day your day.
Happy Birthday my friend, I love you and miss you dearly…

Jenny and I at the Cup Macaire Polo Match Paris June 2006…

Award ceremony!

Today parents were invited to the camp at 2:45 for a Tennis award ceremony…
See the Tennis camp session was 3 weeks long, the first week they learn techniques, and movements, 2nd week tactics and how to count score a match and the third week they have a tournament…so today they were giving the awards to the winners of the tournament.
Toby the tennis coach started of on a great speech talking about what a great group of kids he had this year…kids, from all over the US and some from Colombia, England, China, and France, how great and how diverse. Kids all got along great and were all able to communicate, there was a healthy competition spirit and so on and so on, and then he talked about each kid for like 15 minutes. How great I was getting goose bumps threw his whole speech, then he gave them all bracelets reading, respect, honor and courage, and this was what it was all about. I kept saying what a country so supportive so encouraging what kid doesn’t dream in this country they make you dream they don’t kill your dream like they do in other countries. Bravo America for making both my kids live a dream and not only that but for giving them an award for it…in all the years Dylan has been paying in the clubs in Paris his never gotten a trophy so big. Kids need to believe in themselves and if this is how then long live the American dream…
There were eight huge trophies to give out…and guess what Dylan got two of them he won
the intermediate matches and the Advance matches, he was so excited and his face was so lit you count shut the light off for the rest of the day…
Then the biggest trophy went to a kid who as Dylan said he didn’t play so good, and I said listen, listen to why he won, he got the biggest trophy because he was the teams biggest supporter he was there cheering everyone on, he was the Best team player…how great was that the lesson I’ve been trying to teach him all along, support your team mates integrate yourself with the group because in the end your all a team.
I say Bravo to Toby to people like him who make this country a great country a country that’s united.

Have you confessed?

Funny, but I have and were else but in Lourdes….
Tonight guess what I went with Gus, Danny and two more guys to the Madonna concert…
The Confession tour…at the Miami Arena…50,000 people…all Madonna worshippers…
What a total Diva…Gus got the tickets…god bless him… 4th row seats because he knows someone who knows her etc…so we were sitting in the family and friends area…tickets were expensive but worth it…Nothing is free in life!
She is so unbelievable something else in person. What a body, what an artist I mean she is 48 and looks unreal…I swear since the concert I’ve been totally watching the line…got to look good before I hit 40…So now I got Danny checking in on me at lunch, what are you stuffing your mouth with???? ahhh!!! lol, lettuce!
It was an awesome night and I had a total blast with the boys! Thanks…
Check out our pictures…

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Movies…

Well since we’ve been here in Miami we have seen a couple of films; The Pirates of the Caribbean movie with Johnny Depp, Pretty cool movie a bit scary and the most amazing make up and costumes…his funny I like him…
Memoirs of Geisha , I went with my mom down stairs in the building were they live they’ve got a theatre and they were playing it the other night I was so excited because I read the book and was excited to see the movie, what a book, one of the most loveliest written books I’ve ever read…The movie was incredible of course the book, was better and if they were to have followed the book to a t it would of been a 4 hour film or more , but still it was very Holly woody and beautiful…Then we saw the film everyone has been talking about…the Devil Dressed in Prada…Loved it, great clothing what a closet! Great lines as well and what a Devil indeed that Anna Wintour…I guess you have to be a B___ in that business…and just the other night we saw Monster House…scary but cute…voila…we love movies.

El dia del amigo…

Today is ‘’El dia del amigo’’ they day of friendship…and my dear friend Danny and I spent the day together. We met at the Bal Harbour Mall one of the hottest Malls in the world…talk about money well here you can smell it as you walk…one of the richest malls ever.
We had lunch at Carpaccio’s delicious Italian restaurant…they should re-do it though it needs a bit of a renovation, but I guess it’s a money making pit…and the owner most likely doesn’t want to close it down…well back to us , we caught up on all the latest news and gossip and then walked around the mall and checked out what all the high end lines are doing…Danny knows most of the buyers and sales ladies because he buys a great deal of things for his clients at the designer houses…Danny is a image consultant and a very good one at that.
We had a lovely day…
So to all my friends I wish you a wonderful day, and thanks so much for being a part of my life.

Everything is much better…

Back to camp…Well as I said there was NO giving in …I took them to the bus stop and he was giving me a very hard time, so finally I decided I would take him myself and try to settle him in his camp cabin, the car ride would also give us some time to talk about…my integration conversation with him…Chloé got on to the bus like a champ all by herself…
The car ride out to the school is about 25 minutes, the bus ride is a bit longer because of all the stops it does, so we would probably get there before the bus and it would give me a change to take a peek at Chloé’s class as well…
Took him in to his cabin, met his cabin mates and as I said the kids are much rowdier, bigger, and very forward…he looked so lost , finally one of the counsellors took over and said go ahead I’ll take care of him and of I went with a little pain in my heart.
I ran off to take a peek at Chloé’s class and she just looked like she’d been at the school all year, she showed me her friends so cute , I’m telling you she’s living a film…As I was leaving the school I saw two counsellors at the tennis camp, and hung out and talked to them for a bit I told them what a great Tennis player Dylan is and they were like why don’t you switch him to tennis camp, so I ran to the admissions office and asked for him to be changed , NO problem they didn’t even make me pay the difference, thank god because at least with the tennis since he is so good it would break the barrier. I waited for the tennis coach Mr. Toby and we went together to announced the news to Dylan. As he saw my arrival his eyes lit up and when we told him the news a huge smile made its way threw. There I found my Didu again…I was finally able to leave with some nice peace of mind.
At 4:45 I was already waiting outside impatiently to see his reaction….They both got of the bus with huge smiles. ‘‘So, how was it?’’ I said…. ‘‘It’s the best camp ever’’, he said! Those words sounded so good to my ears…Really? Yea mom , I loved it we play tennis all day and if I’m tired or it’s too hot I just say ‘‘me duele la cabeza’’( my head hurts in Spanish) I was like what ‘‘me duele la cabeza’’ DYLAN! you’re supposed to be talking in English not in Spanish…and we laughed like crazy…he later explained that they go in and play video games, so yea no wonder it’s the best camp, Tennis and Nintendo….what kid would not love that! Then I asked, and the bus did you have a hard time finding the bus because as I left him that afternoon I wrote the number 28 in the palm of his hand very big so he wouldn’t forget his bus number. No mom no problem when the lady asked me what bus I was on I said ‘‘ veintiocho’’ WHAT….Oh man I just kept thinking how am I going to explain this to their father…Well honey ‘‘We are in Miami!’’

American Heritage Academy...

CAMP! The American Heritage Academy in Plantation Florida…..
I’ve been training them for this fun experience for the last 6 months now, well you see this is all new for them they’re really with us all the time on vacation and the camp is all in English and here in the US they separate boys and girls, so it was quite a challenge for them… Friday…we went to visit the school to make sure it was as I expected…and it sure was….Amazing, what a campus very New England, all in brick and it even has a beautiful clock tower, huge campus with so many facilities it makes us in Europe look like we live in a third world country, unbelievable and then the teachers and all those counselors so great and so supportive I was so glad about our choice of school.
We got up at 6:30 (not so bad because we are still a bit jetlagged) the bus picked them up in front of the gate at 7:20 (Sheryl the bus driver a super nice lady with the wildest hairdo put the kids at ease right away) everything went great so far, I have until 4:45 to hang out and enjoy the time to myself….yeah!
When I picked them up Dylan held on to me with tears running down his face and said it was terrible and that he hated it and that he wasn’t gong back! In the mean time I glanced back at Chloé and said what about you ‘’I loved it…’’I knew she would the school is wonderful and with all those TV series (Raven, School Musical, etc…)she watches well she’s kind of living a real live movie, because the school is just like out of a movie….Dylan on the other hand I knew would have a tougher time… he acts like a dude with all of his buddies and when he knows everyone but the minute he knows no one he doesn’t integrate himself that easily, therefore I knew he would have a problem with it…Plus the boys in the states are a bit , I don’t know how to put it but they are much bigger and more direct , I know it may sound weird but it’s true, in the small school we are at they are more refine! ….
So there was no giving in he was definitely going back tomorrow, the big thing was how not to make it so painful for him….I know be rough but you know his still my little baby boy...

Summer School started today …..

It’s been a while… I’ve been so busy with the kids and getting ready for our trip and then finally arriving to Florida and catching up with the family and friends no time for computers…Anyway summer is a busy family time, it’s the only time of the year besides Christmas I get to catch up with my folks and my brothers…
We arrived in Aventura, Florida on Tuesday. We were so happy to see everyone and eat one of mommy Dora’s dishes, I was so happy also to be able to catch up with my cousin Mario from Argentina…He’s been out here since May helping out mom and dad with Pablo. He comes out once a year so mom and dad can make their annual European trip and he hangs out enjoys Miami and watches out for Pablito who unfortunately can’t be left totally alone, he love’s to be out here in Miami so I guess it works out both ways and this trip we were lucky he stayed until now so we could see him before he headed back to Argentina. He looks great and as always has a great sense of humour. I’ll miss him, until we meet again…primito!
The Weather has been reasonably decent for Miami HOT weather season, at least there is a nice breeze and we’ve got the ocean and the pool, not like in France now were its extremely hot and no air, instead smelly air….
Well my parents look great, hanging in there with all the squeaky noises body starts to make at their age, Pablito as sassy as always, making jokes and being himself, Gussy looks great and has had a good sense of humour besides everything else that is going on in his life…busy, busy with the 2 apartments and now the house, I’d be going mad!
So, so far we have been hanging and catching up, swimming, exercising I don’t know it must be a Miami thing but every time I’m here I work out a lot more and feel good about it, oh we’ve been to the movies saw the Pirate movie with Johnny Depp and today Monday the kids finally start Camp…I can’t wait!

Mario and I at the Mall in Adventura having coffee’s and sweets…...
He loves sweets and his sooo skinny…..I hate him!

Getting ready for Summer break…..

I can’t believe the end of the year is here, yea the end of the year for us is when school is out and next year is beginning of September… that’s how it works for me as well with work. Collection is all closed up and ready to begin again with new batteries in September…
The kids last day was Tuesday and they both finished the year great and passed with great notes…Chloé is now in CM2 which is 5th grade and Dylan in CM1 which is 4th grade what a relieve that is…I understand my parents so much more as the years go by it’s too wild…
C’est al vie…
I will be leaving with the kids next week and Greg will be joining us end of the month.
We’ll have a little week to settle down at the folks in Miami and then the kids start CAMP…
This will be a totally new adventure for them, first time and not only that but all English…I’m not so concerned about the language because they understand everything and they’ll pick up the vocabulary fast , but I’m worried because they will be separated, in the states they separate boys and girls while doing the activities then they all meet up at lunch in the cafeteria but ouch it’s going to be tough on them they’re so close and hey maybe I’m wrong and it will all just be fine, It’s more me who is suffering…..
Well and as they are doing that I was looking forward to my golfing lessons, but it’s off limits NOT GOOD for my back, but I must say since Lourdes I’ve had no pain…
Well I’ll just stick to catching up on all my readings, working out, my diet, and some sun….
As soon as Greg arrives we will be flying out to New York for our 20th High School Reunion, it’s going to be quite fun, seeing everyone…Will keep you posted on that one…

Have a great summer everyone….Enjoy and relax….