Princess Anna from Frozen came to my Granddaughter's party!!!

Well, it was not the real Anna from the movie because she is a computer generated fictional character, but a lady dressed like Anna.

Of course, every little girl at the moment is having a Frozen birthday party and Emmie is no exception.  Emmie turned three last May, whilst she was living in Canada and so she didn't miss out on a  party Gemma very kindly let her share her birthday this year.  Emmie's party in the afternoon and Gemma's in the evening.

I love the "Frozen" movie.

Gemma did an awesome job with co-ordinating the food to the "Frozen" theme.  She also made the decorative signs.

Delicious ripe strawberries dipped in white chocolate made scrumptious "Frozen Hearts" - my favourite.

Gemma made the cake - isn't it amazing and the delicious cupcakes.

This was my contribution

and, of course, Snowflake sandwiches (Gemma made these)

Alun draped blue material across the ceiling to add a Princess-like ballroom touch.

and magnificent balloons

"Pin the Nose on Olaf" was a popular and funfilled activity as was the "Pina".

We had SNOW MUCH FUN...

Goodies to take home.  Do you want to build a snowman..

The party was a big success.  All too much for Queen Elsa.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMELINE AND GEMMA.

Family Ski Holiday in the gorgeous Portes du Soleil

We packed up the grandchildren and winter woollies and headed to beautiful Ardent.  Ardent is a charming little hamlet and the gateway, by a "bubble lift" just across the road from our lovely chalet, to the Portes du Soleil's wintery wonderland.  It was the perfect family winter getaway.

There was an excellent ski school - Powder Hounds - for Emmie and Chloe in the mornings with a very gentle slope to build their confidence.

For the first couple of days Emmie and Chloe spent much of their time walking up a carpet slope on skis and getting  comfortable sliding down.  They used snowploughs (aka pizza slices) to control their speed and then started to tentatively turn.  Later in the week, as they became more proficient, the instructors taught them how to use the drag lift.  We couldn't help but spy on them from time to time.

While Emmie and Chloe were busily engaged learning to ski, Jamie was thoroughly occupied by Powder Pups, a nursery programme where he really enjoyed playing with cars, etc.

At lunchtime the Family Ski Company reps brought the children back down to a Chalet in Ardent for lunch and then further   organised activities in the afternoon which they loved.

The childcare team were 1st class and so enthusiastic.  This meant we could ski unhindered every day of our  week-long holiday, so long as we were back for the children at 4.30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 What a gorgeous sense of freedom for the parents - whizzing down sun-drenched slopes,

surrounded by jagged peaks.  We gained maximum value from our lift passes and had some super lunch breaks on the mountains.

 

Chez Denis, Plaine Dranse, Chatel.  Conveniently located at the top of the Pierre Longue chair, is this rustic old farm building.  The menu is small and simple but everything is delicious with local specialities.  We hung our gloves and helmets by the log burner and then checked out all the names of

Denis' cows that are etched on the wooden chairs.

 

Fantaski - Chatel.  Again located at the top of the Pierre Longue lift.  Great value food, especially burgers.

 

La Cremaillere, Les Linderets (Goats Village) - Ski a long morning and then settle into this fantastic restaurant in the quaint little hamlet below the Linderets bowl.  Excellent food and wine.

 

Changabang - Avoriaz.  Opposite the top of the Avoriaz cable car.  Definitely the coolest burger joint in the Portes du Soleil, with its trendy décor, cool music and funky buzzer to let you know your order is ready.  A favourite with seasonaires and cool snowboarders, but everyone welcome including Nanna.

 

And, of course, The Igloo Bar in Avoriaz is amazing.  The ice sculptures are wonderful and it is a fantastic experience to drink ice cold champagne here.  Just off the Stade d'Arare blue run from the TSD Grandes Combes lift.

 

 

 

 

 

 

But  the most enriching and lasting memory is the final day when the girls received their ski-ing medals.  The improvement in one week  was amazing.

 

Alun and Gemma wanted Emmie to experience a Chairlift and enjoy the long and twisting blue run down.

 

   

She used snowploughs to slow down and turn and had improved hugely during the week and on her return to the Chalet and Hot Tub said:-

 

"I love skiing" - RESULT

 

 

Family ski holidays are the stuff memories are made of.

 

Very soon I know the grandchildren will be whizzing past me on the slopes!!!!!

JAMES'S FIRST BIRTHDAY

It's incredible that a year has passed since you first graced us with your adorable smile.  I still remember that day as though it was yesterday.

You were the most perfect little boy!  So handsome with that dark head of hair, that is now blonde, and those beautiful eyes.  Love just poured out of me and it hasn't stopped.  Since that night a year ago you have brought so much joy and love into our lives.  I loved rocking and singing to you.  (Go to sleep my little baby).  What a little man you have grown into.  From our arms.....to the highchair....to walking.

I am looking forward to the next year, as you learn to talk and sing, play on the beach, and discover new things.  I look forward to reading to you, baking cakes and playing cars and trains.

                                             HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY DARLING JAMES.

                                                                             XXXXXXXX  

Christmas 2014

There is no other evening quite as magical as Christmas Eve.  It's a lovely time for family traditions.



Chloe left a mince pie, a glass of whiskey for Santa and a carrot for  Rudolph.  She also sprinkled "reindeer food" outside her bedroom window for the other reindeer waiting outside (oatmeal and glitter).

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful"
Norman Vincent Peale.

On Christmas Day in the morning:-

Caroline cooked the perfect Christmas lunch. Producing a cracking Christmas lunch is really about good organisation and a lot of hard work.   It was excellent.  Thank you.

Then we all got together for a fun day at The Beach House on the Sunday.

The celebrations continued at Tina's on the Tuesday.  Frozen is a pretty hot theme for Emmeline and Chloe this year and Stuart and Tina's decorations really made them smile.

Thank you Stuart and Tina.  The food was, as usual, superb.

As the prophet says in Ecclesiastes, life is all vanity, tomorrow we may turn to dust, therefore
we should eat and drink and be merry.  Cheers.