Precious moments together...

She was left devastated last year when a vicious custody battle with her ex-husband ended with the judge ruling that the pair's two children should live with their father in France.
So when Kelly Rutherford gets an opportunity to spend time with daughter Helena and son Hermes, she certainly makes the most of the precious moments they have together.
On Monday, the 44-year-old actress was seen keeping a tight grip of three-year-old Helena while six-year-old Hermes scooted along behind them as the group made the most oft he warm weather in New York.

 

Precious moments together: Kelly Rutherford spent the day with her children Hermes and Helena in New York on Monday

The trio appeared to have coordinated their outfits for the outing, all wearing white shirts and jeans.
Helena and Hermes currently live with their father, Kelly's former husband David Giersch, in Monaco, after judge Theresa Beaudet's ruling last year.
The judge gave custody to the businessman as it was her opinion that Kelly had repeatedly tried to cut her ex-husband out their children's lives.

 

 

A kiss for my Mummy: Helena, four, appeared very affectionate towards her mother, pulling her in for a kiss as the pair strolled along

 

Leading the way: Helena looked very determined as she pulled her mother across the road,while her brother Hermes scooted along behind

 

Was that deliberate? Kelly and the children were joined by another woman, with all four of them clad in white shirts and jeans

Due to the fact that Giersch's visa was revoked and he is now barred from entering the States with his children, Beaudet ruled that Hermes and Helena should live in Monaco - with Kelly visiting them when she is not working.
Speaking to Dateline last October following the ruling, Kelly said: 'Why would you take the kids away from their mother, out of their school, away from their friends and everything they've known, and plant them somewhere else?'
'It's hard to even believe it's real. I was on a plane three weekends a month. I'm being punished for being a good mother and taking care of my children, and he's being rewarded for having his visa revoked.

 

Sleeping beauty: The fun of the day got a bit too much for Helena later on, with the little girl falling asleep on her mother's shoulder

'Our kids are US citizens and they have a right to be raised in the US.’
Since then, Kelly has vowed to appeal, but admitted that she has drained her earnings to pay off legal bill.
In order to appeal, Kelly said she must keep working to afford the fight.
The former Gossip Girl actress can next be seen in comedy The Stream, in which she stars alongside Jacob M Williams and Michael Capperella.

 

Custody battle: Helena and Hermes live in Monaco with Kelly's ex-husband David Giersch, following a long and tedious custody battle