We started the week off with another mini- adventure.  Luciana woke up at 10pm screaming that her ear was hurting.  She has been coughing for over a week during the night so it was to no surprise that she had an infection.   From one of my seminars- I learned to call SOS at night for doctor advice.  What another fantastic French service!   A doctor was at our home within the hour and gave her medicine to get her through the night.  A total bill of $148 for incredible customer service.  I went to the pharmacy the next morning to fill her three scripts- ammoxicillin, a pain/fever reliever, and Betamethasone.  This steroid is given to reduce inflammation for 3 days- this is was what she was given that evening by the doctor and she was fine within hours.  Another interesting fact- is that you are given the whole bottle of medicine- not just the amount for days required.  Our total pharmacy bill- $14.  The cost of medicine still surprises me- especially compared to other goods to here.  I had to buy Emilia a water bottle for school and that cost me $14 too!

Chris and I joined the Paris Country Club.  We never have been members in the US but given the cost here- we decided to join.  I started out with a workout class with 40 other woman while Chris was on his own.  We then enjoyed a coffee and croissant at the restaurant.  So much for those calories I just burned.   Chris and I also will be starting tennis lessons there as well.  Unfortunately Chris was sick all week- just a bad cold. According to him, it was life threatening and he needed to rest all the time so we didn't make it back to the gym.

Horse riding lessons have been getting better and easier.  I finally feel comfortable putting the bridle on and the kids know how to saddle the horse.  Each week they have a different horse and each horse has different equipment so they can read the symbols as to what they need to get.   Emilia's horse managed to stick his head in the garbage can on the way in to the course and it got stuck. I pulled it off of him but he had a mouth full of garbage.  Horses can't vomit so here I am shoving my hand in the horse's mouth trying to get anything out.  Fortunately the instructor saw and came running to help. Never a dull moment at riding lessons! The kids did great though as they stood on their horses and are trotting now.

Olivia is really breaking out of her shell.  At gymnastics she has made some friends and they all try speaking English to her.  Olivia wanted to show them she knew a bit of French- so at the break she gathered everyone around her and starting singing a French song.  Her teammates all applauded.  It was very cute.  Also, the temporary change in gyms is good for her.  She feels she needs to prove herself and is doing new tricks she would have been afraid to do before.  

I joined a group of five moms at school who are responsible for creating the 5th grade memory book.  I chaired the yearbook at Lake Bluff so I think I can handle the one grade.  It is recording all the 5th grade events and it is a gift for them as they enter middle school next year.

Friday we had our visit with the OFII.  This is the office that gives us the final stamp of approval for our year long visa.  We missed the first two appointments as Chris was out of town.  They told us we "better make this one".  We had to have a medical exam which included lung x-rays. Now we are officially approved to stay for one year.

Saturday, Chris and I finally had another date night.   Chris and I were dressed nicely and Alex kept looking at us smiling.  He told me I looked beautiful with loving eyes.  I told him - "You can't marry your mom Alex- and he replies "I can in my dreams".  He cracks me up- he is already quite the charmer.  We went to a place called Thoumieux- its in the 7th Arrs. of Paris.  Excellent food and atmosphere!  The dessert was fantastic - I had to take a photo.

Sunday was Alex's first hockey game.  His team is Les Tigres de Boulogne. He scored one goal and had four assists.   One of Alex's coaches coached Marian Hossa from ages 11-14.  He told Alex- its all about the footwork at this age.

I can't believe it is almost October.  We are already 1/4 into our trip. My parents are coming soon and we are headed to Prague, Vienna and Munich.  It's a road trip so it will be an adventure as we rented a humongous van.  My dad will finally get to drive on the autobahn!  My sister and Lucas are coming in November and Bonpapa and Laura in December.   I am also super excited as we just booked our New Years plans.  We are headed to Morocco for 10 days!  Spending a few days in Marrakech and then driving out toward the Sahara- stopping along the way.  Once we get to the desert we have a 2 hour ATV drive out to our luxury camp where we will stay for 2 nights.  We will all be sleeping in a tent together.  We will have camel rides and will be going sand surfing.  So excited for all the vacations and that our family is coming!