Luciana started school Wednesday.  I asked her siblings to give her some advice.  Olivia said "1 +1 =2".  Emilia said "have fun" and Alex said - if anyone says anything to you - just say 'oui' or 'pain au chocolat s'il vous plaît". Most kids clung to their parents, but she just grabbed a chair and started to color.  I told her I was going to miss her and she said "don't worry mom- I will come home".  The fourth child can handle most anything! Wednesdays are a half day in the French school system, so the two came home at noon.  She is happy going to school!

Wednesday was the first horse riding lesson for Alex and Emilia.  This past weekend we bought all the gear and the kids are excited for this new sport.  Riding lessons are not nearly expensive as they are in the states. I was told that France wants to make these types of activities accessible to all, therefore there are quite a few places and prices are reasonable. Kids arrived a half hour before their lesson to brush and groom their ponies.  Alex's pony is called Kakahuete and Emilia's is called Filoute.  The kids are thrown right into it!  They learn to put the bridle and saddle on immediately.  There was a quick demonstration and they were on their own to find all the gear.  It was chaotic for me!  First, since I understand little French and know nothing about horses, I lost most of the instructions.  Second,  the kids ponies were on opposite ends of the barn so I had to run back and forth.  Third, Luciana was moving around brushing everyones ponies while stepping in poop and Olivia kept sulking that she now wants to ride as well.  I thought I had a handle on it as I gave Emilia her gear and asked Olivia to help while I helped Alex.  15 minutes later we were going through the next phase of putting on the saddle, etc. and I noticed Emilia and Olivia and Filoute were gone.  I searched everywhere nearby and couldn't find them.  How could I lose 2 children and a pony in 15 minutes?  I walked about 50 yards to the practice arena and there is Emilia on her pony riding with a more advanced class.  Apparently, an instructor saw her- buckled the saddle and took her with his class and Olivia just went with and didn't bother to tell me.  I tried to communicate with the instructor and he just asked- how old is she- I said 6 and he said Oh, thats fine.  I guess these matters are not nearly as concerning as they would be in the US!  That class finished up a few minutes later and the girls came back to our introduction course.   Not surprised that Emilia is a natural with riding. Alex was a bit hesitant at first but grew into it- perhaps we may have a future polo player because he looks pretty darn adorable in that outfit.

Thursday was my first school parent tour.  It is about twice a month and the same group of parents visit different sites with the same guide.  Today's trip was to Montmarte.  I was planning on taking the train into Paris but plans changed and I decided to drive.  I was going to drive into a familiar area- park where I know I can and then take the metro to Montmarte.  But just getting out of Saint Cloud and across the river in rush hour traffic put me back so I decided I was going to just drive all the way there and hope for a parking spot.  I only look 1or 2 steps ahead on my google map on my iphone so as to not confuse myself -plus I was driving.  15 minutes into my drive I see that  two steps ahead I am heading into one of the worlds worst intersections- the Place de l'Etoile or the Arch de Triumph.  For those of you who have been there- you know how scary this traffic circle is!  It has 8 lanes - none of which are defined or visible and 12 exits- all onto major streets.  I have been through it while Chris was driving and my knuckles were clenched on a Sunday when there are few cars.  So here I am, alone and all odds are stacked against me. 1. I am relying on a hand  held navigation application. There are no signs so I need to drive while looking at the map to know which street to exit.   I know my exit is about 3/4 into the circle so I had a long way to go.  2. The Sun. It was blazing this morning- my sunglasses nor visor were of any use.  I was going to SQUINT around the circle!  3. Rush hour traffic.  Cars are everywhere- it is chaos.  No person in their right mind would attempt this for the first time during rush hour! 4. Motorcycles.  Motorcycles and scooters are everywhere.  They go in between lanes at high speeds.  They are on both sides of me and are always cutting me off.  How on earth, will I cross 8 unmarked lanes??? and finally 5.  What happens if I get into an accident- how will I communicate anything??   I just had a moment to say a quick prayer and I entered the wheel from Hell.   I knew it would be crazy but this was unbelievable. Cars and cycles were everywhere.  I think I held my breath and I got to the half way point- and just as my luck would have it, there was an accident.  Two cars and the drivers standing outside exchanging information.   So what was a crazy experience to begin with had just been quadrupled as I had to maneuver around these cars and people.  I can now say that I feel comfortable driving anywhere.  I can only  compare the whole experience to giving birth.  I was nervous and praying at the beginning and when it was finished I cried tears of joy and disbelief and thankful that it was over and of course you swear you will never do it again!   I made it to Montmarte, found a parking spot and had a pleasant tour. Between this episode and losing two kids and a horse- I have at least 20 new gray hairs.  Here are are a couple photos to give you a better visual.  Now just imagine this with three times as many cars in rush hour, an accident blocking multiple lanes and your eyes being blinded by the sun!  I am having wine for dinner tonight!

The Place de l'Etoile with no traffic

A little traffic