Moving to Paris

This week the girls started gymnastics. Emilia is on team this year and was excited to jump into it. Olivia did great and impressed her fellow teammates. I was very proud as she quickly made friends while struggling to understand the coaches instructions. I am excited for both of them! Luciana also has gymnastics once a week. She has mastered her somersaults! Alex finally got on the ice for hockey. He is a bit hesitant with the language barrier so hopefully he will gain some more confidence next week. Alex also started soccer- which seems to be his favorite sport now.

I had a couple living skills seminars at the school again. One was called "Getting around Paris". After driving our car for 2 months now we now know that one must carry in their car- a vest, triangle and a breathalyzer. You are to wear the vest if ever leaving your car for an accident. Post the triangle if you have mechanical problems and have a breathalyzer if you get pulled over. If you do not have any of these items it is a large fine. You are also not supposed to leave your "carte gris" or title in the glove compartment. Apparently, if someone steals your car and has that "carte gris" - they can easily go and claim it as their own. Thank goodness we have not been pulled over!

Friday, Chris and I spent the day in Saint-Germain de Laye. It is a large town north and west of Paris. It is a beautiful town with a lot of history and a castle. It is also a great place to shop! Chris and I did a walking historical tour and followed it up with a fantastic lunch. We found this great Mexican restaurant. I have been missing Mexican food and this restaurant went above and beyond my expectations! I also discovered the Cafe Gourmand. This is a dessert which is a coffee and small samples of each dessert. Most restaurants do not put it on the menu- so you just have to ask if the have it. I highly recommend asking- it gives you just what you need for your sweet tooth!

Chris with a statue of Saint Christopher in the wall on the streets of Saint- Germain de Laye

Gardens of the Chateau de Saint Germain en Laye

This weekend we went to Place de la Bastille. It is a square where the Bastille prison stood. Now in the center is the July Column which was built in 1840. Also in the 4th arrondissement we discovered a grocery store called Thanksgiving. It is a small store selling American products only. We left with 4 items- a jar of Jiffy peanut butter, a can of refried beans, a can of italian bread crumbs and Aunt Jemima pancake mix. I had to pass on the $12 family box of Kraft Mac and cheese because our total bill was already $37!

Bastille Square

Sunday we we went to the Familathon in Saint-Cloud. The city organizes this family event once a year where 30 vendors are displayed in a park introducing children to different sports. All free of charge- the kids were able to try sports such as fencing, archery and bmx biking. There was a mini decathlon, roller street hockey and so much more. Everyone enjoyed trying something new and of course the French are much less restrictive with the kids. They even had kids holding plastic knives while instructors showed them how to defend attackers and on the zip-line the kids had to unhook themselves at the top and reattach to another line while standing on a rope. Another couple things that wouldn't happen in the states...I can't believe another week is over. Time is flying by....