Sunday Comics

I don't know about you but one of my favorite things to do growing up happened on Sunday afternoons. We would come home from church, change into our comfy clothes and then fight over the brightly colored Sunday comics. We found many giggles to start our week and then (if your mom happened to be thrifty like mine) used them to wrap presents for birthday parties.

Well, over here there is no paper delivery, I don't even know if they have comics and if they did I couldn't read them and I am sure the humor would be lost on me. So here are a couple of Sunday comics--Walker Family Circus style:

As princesses have become major players in our household (used for many behavior teaching tactics) so have the other characters when behavior is less than desireable. We were on our way home from church, peacefully riding the bus. Brooke and I were sharing a seat and there was a rather dour looking woman facing us with make-up quite literally "painted on". Brooke watched this woman for several stops and then pointed straight at her and at full volume stated, "look Mom, she's the evil witch!" I tried to quiet her but all she wanted was my affirmation and continued to say it over and over. Finally, I distracted her and just prayed that the woman didn't understand english.

After this wonderful example of my parenting skill we were hurrying from the bus stop to catch our train. Bella Kate had had an accident at church and was coming home without her tights and bloomers on. As I was holding her hand and hurrying her across the major road in front of the train station...she started yelling, "oh, oh, oh!". I looked down wondering what could be wrong and found the church's backup diaper swirling frantically around the ankle of one leg. We stopped in the middle of the median so I could re-fasten her pants but had much difficulty as I was laughing so hard.

We no longer wonder why the French think we are "crazy Americans".

Musee d'Orsay & 6th Arrondissement

Saturday morning was cool but clear so we headed into Paris for another day of exploring. Our goal today was to see the Musee d'Orsay and tour the 6th Arrondissement. The Musee d'Orsay is housed in a beautiful, converted train station in the middle of Paris. It was opened after the Louvre declined to allow the "newer" style of art to be displayed among its traditional holdings. It is a haven for those who love impressionest work (like Anthony and I). We arrived a few minutes before it opened so the kids had time for a traditional Parisian treat...

Here are a few pictures of the amazing building but none of my pictures of the paintings do justice to how beautiful they are. I guess you will just have to come and visit us and see them for yourselves...

Here is a half model of the opera as it was being planned. Anthony and I were both amazed by the intricacy and detail shown, as well as how small the actual theatre is compared to the rest of the building.

After a couple of hours, we left the museum and headed into the 6th. Our first goal was Saint Suplice but in the courtyard we found this beautiful fountain where the kids had to make a wish.

St. Suplice was once the largest church in Paris and has one of the largest pipe organs in the world. It is also home to the famous "Rose Line" or prime meridian marker.

We next headed to another historical church, St. Germain des Pres. It was one of the neatest churches we have been to but there was a wedding going on, so we toured quietly and left without taking pictures.

We saw but didn't stop at the infamous cafe "Les Deux Magots" then lunched at a Mexican restaurant "Fajitas". While not anything super amazing, it was definitely a needed taste fix.

After lunch we headed into the Jardin de Luxembourg. I LOVE this park. It was entirely enclosed but had tons of things to do. We watched some gentlemen play the traditional French lawn game of "boules", you could play basketball or tennis, there were sandboxes, candy stalls, swings, merry go rounds, walking trails, puppet shows, toy sailboats and a plethora of other activities. The kids however, begged for one thing, pony rides! These were remarkably cheap only a euro and a half but Bella Kate changed her mind last minute. Brooke was as giddy as we have ever seen her and is enthalled now by what she calls Honey Pie Pony. (Also the name of Strawberry Shortcake's pony).

We then took an hour to just let the kids play. The park has a wonderful playground and while there was a fee to get in, it was entirely enclosed and Anthony and I got to just sit and watch them have fun.

One last stop to see the third Statue of Liberty and we were off for home and an extra hour of sleep--don't you just love fall time change!

Prayer Requests / Blessings

It's been a rough couple of weeks and I didn't really want to get on here and whine so I am trying to temper my negativity by counting my blessings as well (no matter how far of a stretch they are).

PRAYER REQUESTS
1. Home Sale
2. Car Sale
3. HUGE issue with Gaz de France
4. Lack of academics for Andrew
5. Secular school environment (much worse than it sounds)
6. Lonliness
7. Language/culture struggles
8. No breaks from being Mom
9. Missing favorite fall activities and many American "goods"
10. Struggles with faith

BLESSINGS
1. An awesome, genuine and loving pastor and church
2. Comrades at arms
3. A ride home on Wednesday
4. I get to go home for a week in November
5. Beautiful, healthy, happy kids
6. A loving and forgiving husband
7. Internet
8. Almond croissants
9. Realizing that there are many suffering more than I
10. Knowing God will still be there when/if I get through this

Fall Fun Fest

The French don't celebrate Halloween. It was introduced a few years ago trying to make it a commercial holiday but it never caught on. They don't trick or treat and there are not any goods available in the stores to help those who want to celebrate it. Luckily, our church had a Fall Fun Fest last night where many of the kids from the church and American School could have a chance to dress up, play some games and eat some American goodies. I worked the concession window all night but here are a few pictures that Dad took throughout the evening.

For those of you who were around two years ago (yes, this is a repeat costume for the girls). We had been planning on going to Baylor Homecoming this year for my 10 year reunion and were going to get the girls cheerleading outfits to wear there and at Halloween but this move put a kink in that plan. We had to go with the flow.... quite an achievement for this type A planner. But all worked out, they LOVED being a "balaweenie" and Andrew thought he was quite the stud.

My Fellow Moms....Help?

For the last several nights Brooke has been sleeping with my HAIRBRUSH! Even when we put her to bed without it she sneaks out and has it in bed with her the next morning. Any ideas, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

A Princess Party

Saturday, we finished off the birthday celebration with cake and presents.

We are fully and officially partied out! However, when Brooke woke up Sunday morning she said, "Happy Birthday to me?" and we had to let her down soft. Hope you enjoyed our birthday extravaganga and weren't too tired out by all the photos...

Happy Birthday Princesses!

Brooke & Bella are 3! and Friday was all about them. The be all, end all goal of this trip was to "meet" princesses and since we had hit all the rides, attractions and shops on Thursday, we had the whole day to make scheduled sightings, stand in line and get autographs. We had a wonderful full breakfast included in our hotel package and while there we got to see Pluto, Goofy, Pinochio, Donald Duck, Friar Tuck, Geppeto and Eyeore.

Brookie kept calling Donald "Daisy" and wouldn't leave his side. Bella on the other hand wasn't the biggest fan--as you can tell.

After breakfast, the girls picked out one of their birthday gifts and didn't let go of them all day.

We did another round of rides and got in line for the princesses. This took two hours of our day but was SO worth it. Snow White came on first, then was replaced by Cinderella (who is Bella's dream princess) and we were almost up to her when Snow White came back on. Bella was so devastated as Cinderella walked off that my mother's heart just broke for her--even caused me to tear up a little to watch her be so dejected. But she soon perked up and got ready for her turn to see Snow White. While we were actually on stage for our turn, Cinderella came back up to replace Snow White and we got to visit with BOTH princesses. I could give you more details but let's just say Bella went from a state of stunned awe to floating on air for hours afterward.

We had arranged a special lunch for the girls to eat at the Auberge de Cinderillon where the princesses come out and visit with you while you eat. It was a splurge but again SO worth it. They were greeted by Cinderella and her mice Suzy and Perla hosted the event.

While we were dining, Ariel and her prince Eric and Aurora and prince Phillippe stopped by for a visit.

Lunch was followed by the delivery of a birthday cake for the girls and all in all, we could not have asked for a better celebration.

A few more rounds of rides and shops, a moment to pause and say goodbye, a last minute dance in the street, and we said farewell to Disneyland. A quick dinner at Annette's Diner (where mom got an American peanut butter shake) and we headed for home, truly exhausted but with two incredibly happy birthday girls.