Odds and Ends

I've been getting a little grief for not posting in awhile but not much has been happening. We spend most of our time trying to keep warm but since our part of the country at home is covered in ice as well--I guess everybody is!

The girls have successfully finished potty training and we couldn't be more thrilled. The only time we put pull-ups on them is when we go into Paris for the day. Potties are few and far between and many aren't clean enough to let the girls use. Amazingly, they have been able to keep their pullups dry as well--but I just am not ready to take that chance yet.

I took a red wine class yesterday (I had taken the white wine one in October) and just am still not a fan. Oh well, at least I tried. Anthony will just have to enjoy his glass without me.

We have not been touring outside because of the weather but have found a few fun things to do inside during the winter. A girlfriend drove herself and I about an hour and half south to Gien where some beautiful pottery is made. We shopped at their factory outlet and found several pieces to buy. On another weekend the family took a train about two hours north to a small town called Fresnoy-le-Grand. It is home to the Le Creuset factory. I found several pieces in their outlet at GREAT prices that I was excited to get. It was also a fun day on the train for the kids. We found a huge outlet center out near Disney but are waiting until it warms up a little to do that.

We were supposed to go to Brussels and Amsterdam last weekend (tagging along on one of Anthony's work trips) but that got pushed back so we may be going next weekend. He is spending many days traveling to various cities as it is the time of year when all the companies have to publish their audits. He is not getting to sight-see much but is enjoying the countryside.

We still do our weekly Gymboree as well as school activities at home. I am not doing the Bible Study right now but hope to do the one starting in a few weeks. The whole family went organic this year so I am spending much of my time altering favorite recipes and finding new ones. So far the kids haven't fussed too much at all. They do miss the sweet treats once in a while--but Valentine's is coming soon.

We have a few trips planned for February so things should pick up again. Stay warm!

Sevres

Saturday, we visited a small town that is a suburb of Paris and very near us. It is also home to the famous porcelain known by the same name: Sevres. If you are unfamiliar, take a look at wikipedia or ebay and you will know what I am talking about. It has served as the royal manuafacturer of china and all things porcelain for centuries. Its style is very traditional and ornamental, with classical patterns and lots of gold detailing. We visited the factory and museum where it has been made for years. It was filled with beautiful and extravagant pieces from over the years, some worth many millions of dollars and irreplaceable. One guard even felt the need to tell us that the kids could not touch!?!--trust me, we held on to them for all they are worth :) It was also necessary to plan something inside since it is sooooo cold outside and this only took half a day so everyone still got Saturday afternoon naps--yeah!

Joyeux Noel & Bonne Annee

Well, Santa found us in Paris. The entire season was very low key for us. Except for a ladies brunch at church and Andrew's school program we didn't have any parties, I had finished all my shopping when I came home in November (except for Santa gifts) and we had very few decorations. We had to skip the Christmas Eve service because it started so late--we would not have gotten home until 11. Instead we read the Christmas story by candlelight and assembled the nativity as each event happened, sang some carols, spread oatmeal for the reindeer and left cookies for Santa. Christmas day was fun just hanging around the house with the kids and letting them play with all their new toys. I simplified Christmas dinner and everything was just very easy. Here are the kids with their Santa gifts...

New Years Eve is a HUGE event here but we didn't go out for it. The streets in Paris teemed with merrymakers but we stayed home, made fondue and played games. None of us saw midnight but have loved the family time we've shared with Dad being home all week. We have enjoyed all the blogs and pictures from each of your Christmases and hope that your New Year is filled with health and happiness.