7th Arrondissement

Saturday was a full and tiring day. It started with Andrew's soccer in the morning. I have to tell you, we may have a future Beckham on our hands (in ego if not in talent). For his second time playing, he managed to score 2 of the 3 goals for his team (and he will be quick to tell you that one of them was with a second grader pulling him from behind by his shirt sleeve). Quite the play little buddy! After that, we quickly changed him and whisked into Paris.

Without a full day to spend, we chose the 7th arrondissement. It has fewer attractions than most, however iconic they may be. First we stopped by the Pont Alexander III which is so detailed and ornate that it makes our own bridges look common if not downright boring.

We then strolled down the Avenue du Mal Gallieni towards the Hotel des Invalides. Napoleon originally built the Hotel as a hospital and home for injured soliders but it has since turned into a military museum and houses the Emperor's tomb. First let me say, military history is NOT my thing. Too many dates, battles, names, places, numbers wounded and dead, strategies and ramifications. I am much more of a social historian (i.e. how did the war affect those on the homefront?). But, this was amazingly interesting. We only made it through the Antique Arms and Armour Department-13th through 17th centuries and the Canon collection. We will have to plan another visit to see the Modern Department-Louis XIV to Napoleon III and the World Wars Department 1871-1945. Andrew LOVED all of the medival armor and weaponry.

The Hospital had it's own cathedral to which a dome was added when Napoleon's remains were relocated.

From the Hotel des Invalides we stopped for lunch and American grocery goods shopping at the Real McCoy. We bought several items that we have not found elsewhere which will make everyday cooking as well as Thanksgiving and Christmas much more familiar.

Then the big one---the one the kids have been waiting for---the Eiffel Tower!

I'm glad we did it but I am not sure I am ready to do it again. This 'event' took four hours! We stood in line for tickets, we stood in line for the elevator, we shuffled around the 2nd deck trying to get to the edge, we stood in line for the elevator, we shuffled around the 3rd deck and then we stood in line for the two elevators to get down. And this is off season! When I was here in college, it did NOT seem this difficult, maybe because I was only responsible for myself...

We grabbed a quick and easy dinner at the always popular McDonald's then headed home with some very tired kiddos. Spent Sunday (the way you are supposed to) at rest! We have a full week of activities ahead--but you will hear all about that soon enough.

P.S. For those of you without blogger or gmail accounts--I have changed the settings on the comment page so that anyone can leave a note.

A Quiet Week

The girls and I attended the last "Living Skills" seminar sponsored by the school on Tuesday. This one was on travel in and around Paris and France. Certainly picked up some helpful hints on saving money for train travel. We have our first (out of Paris) trip planed for the last week in October. Andrew has the entire week off for Tousaint's Day and we are heading to the Alsace-Lorraine region in eastern France. Anthony picked the girls up so I could stay for the luncheon and later that afternoon the grade level "coffee" for Andrew's class. Met some really nice moms (one was even from Flower Mound). You can never truly get away.

I spent most of the week fighting the yucks with a scratchy throat and congestion. Tried to keep everything low key. The girls studied their ABCs and while they can certainly sing the song, we will continue to work on letter recognition and phoenomic awareness.

Andrew had his first day of soccer on Saturday and loved every minute of it. Ran nonstop for over an hour but then just could NOT make it back to the train station---hmmm, will have to work on that one.

9th & 18th Arrondissements

Saturday, we visited two new neighborhoods in Paris which actually neither Anthony nor I had been to in our previous visits. It is hard to explain just how different each arrondissement is. The 1st, which I wrote about a few weeks ago, has beautiful structures, attractions and gardens but also tends to be very touristy. The 9th which we visited Saturday morning has beautiful, wide boulevards, traditional Haussman architecture and is a lovely strolling neighborhood. Its main attraction is the Opera Garnier. Anthony and I both agreed this is one of the most beautiful buildings in Paris which you may also know from its "Phantom" fame.

We then enjoyed a movie presentation called "Paris Story" which outlines the history and building of Paris from the first settlers through its glory days, revolution, and world wars. Each audience member listens to it in their own language. The kids had a ball.

We visited a Perfume factory, several stores in the area and let the kids take a spin in a Ferrari before heading to Andrew's favorite lunch spot.

After lunch we headed just north of the 9th to the 18th. This is known as the artists corner of Paris. Many famous artists have and continue to live and work here. The most recognizeable attraction is one you can pick out of any Paris skyline. Sacre Couer, a beautiful Byzantine style church on top of a hill (mountain). Brooke walked every one of these steps and didn't complain a bit! Go Brookie! Here is a picture from half-way up. Whew...

Around the corner from Sacre Couer, which I didn't get a picture of is Place du Tertre. It is a square filled with artists painting Parisian scenes or your own picture. You can have it done any any medium from chalk to watercolors, pencil, or paint. Will definitely have to do this with the kids sometime.

We then strolled through the narrow, crooked, charming streets of Montmarte--what I have always pictured as stereotypical Paris. Tons of fun and even found a few of the famous windmills that dot this neighborhood. Two of the most famous, Moulin Galette and Moulin Rouge.

The weather was beautiful, the girls did great without their stroller and we had one of our best days so far.

A Good Week

Sunday, we took our first trip to the Louvre. For those of you who haven't been here, it is a huge museum with four floors and three wings. We only attempted two floors of one wing this time. Stairs were an issue--we will NOT take the stroller again. Our meanderings led us through the Egyptian and Grecian artifacts, architectual remnants and sculpture as well as through the original moat of the palace. The kids did amazingly well. (Despite Brooke's face in the picture with the model.)



Last Friday they had figured out that the reason our range didn't work is that we had no gas to the house. (The water is not gas heat??) So Monday they came out and turned on our gas--yeah! You don't know what you are missing, until you don't have it. I was never so happy as to be able to brown meat. We also were thankful for the furnaces at night--no more sleeping in sweatshirts and socks.

Tuesday, the girls and I went to a seminar sponsored by the PFA at school on foods and shopping in France. They got to play while I actually sat upright and enjoyed an adult presentation. It helped tremendously. Now the trips to the grocery store won't be so agonizing and I have the "list" of substitutions for American foods you can't get here.

Gymboree Wednesday and we could even follow along with the French songs. Andrew got signed up to play soccer (not necessarily my sport of choice) but it is what is available and he is VERY excited.

Care packages arrived in Thursday's and Friday's mail. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

The girls and I studied Farm Animals this week. Lots of fun but I am ready to say "Au revoir" to the barnyard sounds:) Andrew's class is actually going on a field trip to a farm next week--I guess I'll see if they need any parent chaperones...

Tomorrow we head back into the city for a day of exploring and fun. Bon journee mes amies.

This happens to be a neighborhood cat who is sunning himself on the roof of our sunroom.

Blatant Promo

A friend recently suggested I get on Facebook so last night I signed up. Within a few minutes I had found several current friends as well as those I hadn't talked to in years. It is amazing to catch up on people's lives. Moves, marriages, careers, and kids. The time flies but the memories are SO fun.

10 Things...

Ten Things I Love About France....

1. Cooler Weather
2. Amazing History everywhere you turn
3. French Mustard, White Chocolate Ice Cream and Vanilla flavored ready made pie crusts
4. French's fabeled "green HAND"
5. Fresh food and flower markets
6. Never worrying about parking
7. The expectation of/and choices for dessert
8. Detailed workmanship
9. Amazingly low electric bills
10. Culture focused on simple pleasures of life

Ten Things I Miss from Home...

1. Being able to read the "fine print"
2. Chicken Fried Steak
3. Closet Space
4. MOPS/ Mother's Day Out
5. Travelling on my schedule
6. American Cheeses
7. Grapevine Mills
8. Free Shipping from Amazon
9. Meat cooked anything but raw
10. No conversion math necessary for sizes/cooking/measuring

Aaaaah....the pleasure of routine

This past week or so has been spent settling in and getting use to our new routine. Andrew is still doing well at school and loves riding his luxury liner bus to and from our home. This was initially one of my great concerns about school this fall and it has turned out fine. He is only on the bus about 15 minutes each way, it has very few kids on it and they all seem to be very nice and low-key. He has a bus monitor that speaks English well so all has worked out.

Anthony and I had to go into Versailles to do some residency paperwork so we took advantage and spent the afternoon in the palace gardens. There is tons to do such as bike riding, boating and a delicious ice cream stand. The girls had a ball. They must have had the charm turned on full force because several individuals asked if they could take their picture. Twins do not seem to be as prevelant here as in the states. Even when someone is rattling away in French, I have learned to pick out the phrases "les jumelles" and "tres belle". Brooke, being the astute little booger she is, had to comment as we passed each statue "look, look, they are neck-ed".

Anthony has FINALLY had to go into the office (very difficult after a month off) but has said that everyone is extremely friendly and helpful. He has had some very nice two hour French lunches and already knows of two trips he will be taking out of Paris. We of course, will have to tag along...

The girls and I have started their preschool work. This week the theme was apples. We sang songs about apples, read stories about apples, colored apples, learned apple in sign and in French, did apple crafts and of course, did some apple baking. We made apple smiles, apple and gouda quesadillas, apple pizza and an apple pie. They also started their Gymboree class which will be every Wednesday. This is our foray into a completely French world. Most of our friends and activities have been through the American School or the English Church so we have not struggled much with the language. When we were introduced I picked out the "au Texas" and then got all the "ah-ha's"--I guess they kinda figured we were a little different.