London & Love Never Dies

That's right! I escaped to London for 24 hours! Schatzi was already in the UK on business and planned a nice day out for Mommy, including tickets to the musical, Love Never Dies, the sequel to Phantom. What about the girls? Oh, don't worry, the girls were well looked after in Bucharest by a friend from church.

While Schatzi was in the office, I hit Oxford Street for some civilized shopping.

Tasty cupcakes at Lola's in Selfridges department store (which used to be the largest department store in London; now the honor belongs to Harrods.)

Of course, I spent a significant amount of time daydreaming here, primarily on the 4th floor among the heirloom quality children's wear. There was at least a 1/4 acre devoted to darling dresses!

Hamley's is the London equivalent of FAO Schwartz . . . toys, toys, toys. I found a few little souvenirs for the girls.

More lovely shops . . . this one close to the Ritz.

Somehow, I even managed to squeeze in some house-hunting and found the perfect little place for us in the country . . . if only it were pink.

Cheery window boxes everywhere!

My stop on the tube.

Practicing "Look right".

Lover Never Dies . . . I didn't even know that a sequel was in the works . . . pitiful considering it takes both of my hands to count the times I've seen Phantom. But my ever-faithful Schatzi keeps his eye out for me and was anxious to take me to see the show (which doesn't open on Broadway until 2011).

I kept eyeing the Haagen Daaz ice creams during intermission, but in an amazing act of restraint, I held out for dinner.

At the stage door after the show with Sierra Boggess, "Christine."

With Ramin Karimloo, "Phantom", who complimented me on Miss P (the dress, remember?). "Oh, thank you! It's vintage from Hong Kong and I just love the wiggle of the fringe" (at which point I swiveled to demonstrate). Without a beat, he replied "And I bet your friend likes the way it wiggles too", nodding at Schatz who was snapping our photo. As you see, I buttoned my sweater and recovered pretty well-- at least I wasn't blushing too badly for the photo.

Post theatre dinner at Rules, the oldest restaurant in London.

I was delighted to find this gas burning "coal" fireplace at Rules--just like at home in the pink house (well naturally, where do you think ours came from?) (You can spy the infamous fringe on my dress . . . if only you could hear it swish . . . I'll have to post video.)

The food was delicious--I can't wait to go back! A perfect meal for me: "Innes Farm Bosworth Goat's Cheese Fritters with Damson Relish, Bacon, Little Gem & Avocado Salad."

A sight for sore, bloodshot eyes . . . do I really get to sleep in?

As wonderful and civilized as London was . . . the best part is arriving home with your sweetheart and picking up your daughters from gradinita!

Party 'Til We Drop

It was nonstop partying today as we spent the entire day making appearances at birthday parties. Here's some of the fun that caused these rockstars to crash in between gigs:

Charlotte took advantage of the open bar at the first party.

Audrey rocked it in the bouncer.

It just wouldn't be a Romanian party without pyrotechnics on the birthday cake.

A relaxed group shot at the second party (Charlotte was still sleeping in the car).

Ava's Photo Safari

All the girls like to play with the camera. This morning, before Mommy and Daddy stirred, Ava went on a photo safari. And now, may I present: Through Ava's Lens.

(apartment building across the street)

(Audrey climbing in or out of Charlotte's crib)

(my favorite shot)

(Charlotte in her crib)

(kitchen cupboard)

(whimsical Dutch clock we picked up at the flea market)

Sister Love

Charlotte loves her big sisters. She gets such a thrill when she holds hands with Ava. She'll take Ava's hand over mine. Tonight they looked so sweet walking home from tennis.

Catch and . . .

Smooch!

Chalk Art

The girls enjoyed the spring sunshine on the terrace while creating some chalk art this afternoon. Ava recently learned to draw hearts. Notice how her characters are all thinking about love.

Ava's self portrait. I see hints of cubism.

Reminds me of someone else I know.

My expressive Boo.

Dinner al fresco

I can hardly believe that just 10 days ago it was snowing, snowing, snowing. And now, where's winter? Gone, gone, gone. Today was so lovely, even warm--no jacket required. Everyone has moved outdoors, ourselves included. We ate dinner on the front patio, leftovers of Daddy's Sunday red sauce. Pofta buna! (bon appetit!)

Sinaia Snow

As if we hadn't seen enough white powder in the past three months, we decided to drive an hour and a half up to Sinaia where there is still plenty of snow. The day was gorgeous . . . so "warm" we ate lunch on the terrace of Cabana Stana Regala in the bright sunshine. Even though we've been surrounded by snow this winter, it has been too cold to want to play in it . . . until today. It was simply the perfect fun in the sun and snow day.

Primavara

I think it's safe to say: Spring is here! This week's sun has melted last week's snow and the whole world seems to be out celebrating. We're back at the park in the afternoon, enjoying the change. The girls were disappointed that there was no ice cream at the snack shop . . . ok, so it's not that warm yet!

"She loves the free, fresh wind in her hair, life without care . . ."

Inspired by the latest Barbie movie (Barbie & the Three Muskateers), the girls enjoy fencing with each other and the posts along the sidewalk. Toti pentru unul si unul pentru toti! (All for one and one for all!)

Audrey strikes the BEST fencing poses! She cracks me up.

Well, the park may not have had ice cream, but rest assured, our freezer is rarely without. Ava enjoys her reward while Audrey continues to work on her broccoli. . . only the lure of an ice cream cone (complete with whipped cream and sprinkles) can get these girls to eat their broccoli!

Home Sick

Charlotte uses the popcorn bowl as a hat

We have all been battling these nasty colds the whole winter it seems, so finally, I let the girls stay home for a few days to "rest" (we were sort of ordered to stay home by the kindergarten teacher because of Ava's dramatic cough). So we watched movies as the snow (it's back!) fell down. After three days of being home sick, the girls were ready to get back to gradinita today.

Speaking of being home sick, we had been homesick for a good cake. So when Schatzi returned from his trip to San Francisco, he brought us back a delicious lemon flavored cake by Just Desserts (a Bay area baking company).

The girls swoop in on Daddy to savor the last piece of cake.

Ava tries to steal another bite.

Rats! Charlotte's just a little too short to grab it.

I'll wager this was the first time a Just Desserts cake was flown in to Bucharest. Well done, Daddy!