A Special Visit from London

We're already well into March now, but we wanted to share some photos from a wonderful three day visit we had soon after Valentine's Day, from our most beloved sister Rebecca / auntie Booboo and boyfriend Ajay. Milo was thrilled to be back in his auntie's arms, and he took a liking to Ajay very quickly (Ajay seemed to think Milo was pretty cool too).

Rebecca and Ajay definitely didn't come all the way from London empty-handed, and spoiled all of us with their most kind and considerate gifts.

Rebecca gave Milo a book which has become an instant hit, telling the story of a train trip to the seaside, something Milo does every time he visits grandma maminou in Brittany. Ajay gave Milo a wonderful book to develop Milo's keen artist's eye, with pages of animal pictures full of tiny surprises.

 Perrine and I were spoiled with certainly some of the most delicious treats to come out of London, some buttery delicious Indian sweets, the most amazing raw foods from Rebecca's vegan cafe/market, including crackers made from reishi mushrooms and raw chocolate hearts, and also Ajay's favorite British beer.

We actually talked about food quite a bit during our three days together, being that we are all quite passionate about what we put in our mouths! We ate good vegan meals, and drank good authentic wines, and shared many good stories!

During all this sibling bonding, sister/auntie Krissy was on the other side of the world, visiting Matt's parents wintering in Arizona. But even that couldn't keep Krissy from joining in the fun, and we soon got a skype call from the Poppletons as they were driving through the Arizona desert!

Krissy!

Matt!

Rachel!

Rebecca and Ajay had (very sweetly) chosen to have their visit coincide with Perrine's choir concert, which took place in southern Paris near Place d'Italie and the Butte aux Cailles neighborhood.

Milo stayed home with a babysitter, and Perrine had a nice group of friends and family attending, including father Jean-Guy, Rebecca, Ajay and I, and friends Manal, Fabien and Marie-Laure.

As it turned out, the theme of Perrine's concert was English music, mostly British, but also one Scandanavian composer which Rebecca and I know well, the Swede Nils Lindberg.

It was really a very enjoyable concert, we were all impressed! Perrine had also braved through the whole thing while feeling under the weather. She headed home for some well-deserved sleep afterwards and Jean-Guy took the rest of us all out for a fine Belgian beer to celebrate on Perrine's behalf.

Manal and Fabien

All good things have to come to an end unfortunately, and after a very relaxing morning together having a leisurely brunch and more stories and conversation, Rebecca and Ajay had to say goodbye. Milo was pretty bummed to see them go, but luckily we know they are just a train ride away, and hope to see them again very soon!

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And just one last note, because there is another couple who is very much  in our thoughts every day of late – cousins Ben and Katy! Any day now they are expecting to become new parents when their baby arrives at last! We had a very nice skype chat with them yesterday, and shared in their excitement, while humbly offering some tips for the big day!

We wanted to give them a hug very badly, and can't wait to see them and their newborn baby this summer when we meet up in Italy with Ben and his whole family. Good luck Ben and Katy!