The end of this week was all about the kids.  Thursday we went to Jardin de Luxembourg. It is the second largest public park in Paris.  The garden contains numerous statues, fountains and monuments. It is also a big feature in Les Miserables.  I plan on reading the novel now as I am a bit more familiar with its history.  We spent most of our time in the gardens at the playground.  It is the only playground I know of in which one has to pay to enter.  It is worth it as the kids enjoyed the different types of equipment.  Luciana also had a memorable moment.  She was climbing the tower seen below and said she had to go potty.  She couldn't get down quickly enough and had a steady "rainfall" below.  Luckily no one was below her at the time!

Where Luciana eventually had her accident a bit higher up

Golden ring carousel

Saturday we went to Jardin de Tuileries. It is located next to the Louvre. It is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy a good book.  As we were with all the kids, we did the opposite and went to the amusement park next to the gardens.  Kids enjoyed the rides- although they were quite expensive!  A unique ride was this "bubble" in which the kids went inside, were zipped up and air inflated the ball. The ball then is rolled into a pool of water.  Olivia and Alex had a great time.  Luciana went in and as soon as they filled her ball up - she screamed to get out!

Luciana getting ready

Alex and Olivia battling it out

Olivia and Alex on the swings- much higher than an I have ever seen!

Emilia and Luciana on the roller coaster car.  Of course we had to wait for the pink one.

Three kids jumping

We also went to a bridge in Paris called Pont des Arts. It is a "love lock bridge".  You write your name on a lock, lock it onto the bridge and throw the key into the Seine river- symbolizing an everlasting love.   We had our bright green lock with Petrini-Poli on one side and everyone's names on the other. Olivia attached it  to the bridge and Alex and Emilia threw the keys into the river.  Olivia told me that when she gets married she will return to Paris and attach another with her husbands name next to our family lock.  Already a romantic...

Me and Goopy at the bridge

Olivia locking the lock

Alex and Emilia throwing the keys

Our love lock!

I have prepared two french dishes this weekend- crepes with sausage, onions and potatoes and then the classic beef bourguignon. I am not a Ms. Julia Child however they were quite tasty. I have never had either dish so I do not know what it is supposed to look or taste like but everyone enjoyed it!

Chris is leaving tomorrow for the US-so the kids are going to a sports camp next week (M, W, F).  A bus comes directly to the house to pick them up and bring them home.   Parents are not allowed in the facility at all- quite a difference from many programs in the US where parents are often found hovering at the sporting practices. They will be getting lessons in golf, tennis and soccer and then they have free time in which their options include french lessons, crafts, go-karting, swimming, etc.... I hope they enjoy it.   No matter where we are, August is a tough month for me and the kids.They are fighting too much and I am anxious for them to get back to school!!!!