The past week started off pretty slow as Chris has been going back to USA Sunday- Thursday. The kids did not have school last Monday so I sent them to the Energy Academy for a day of sports.  It gave me the day to do a little Christmas shopping.  All the stores are already selling decorations so I feel like I need to get started.  Friday Chris and I went to the Musee Jacquemart-Andre.  It is a museum created in the home of Edouard Andre and Nelie Jacquemart displaying all the art the collected.  After his death, Nelie gave the mansion and everything inside (artwork and furniture) to the Institut de France as a museum and became open to the public in 1913.  I really enjoyed the museum very much as not only did it display beautiful artwork but it also showed how this couple actually decorated their home and lived during that time.  We had lunch in the cafe in the museum which is actually the mansion's formal dining room.  It is beautiful setting with excellent desserts!

Musee Jacquemart-Andre.  The top of building is under renovation so the top portion is actually a poster covering the work being done- looks all real in the photo

 Saturday Chris took the kids to Galleries Lafayette to do a little shopping while I stayed home with Luciana as she was not feeling well.  She kept saying her neck hurt which I assumed was her throat.  That cherry throat lozenge did the trick!  Saturday evening Chris and I went to Le Train Bleu.  It is a restaurant located in the Gare de Lyon ( which is a train station).  It was built in 1900 and displays a beautiful collection of paintings and an incredible ceiling.  It was really a pleasurable atmosphere.  Chris and I were a bit weary on the menu and I used my translate application because I needed to verify our options included crispy pigs feet, urchin tongues and grilled heart.  We opted for the fish of the day- sea bass.  It came whole and I was thankful that our server removed the head and bones for us!  He also removed the cheeks and placed it on the side for us.  Apparently that it is a delicacy of which I was unaware of.

our seabass being prepared

Chris headed back to the states again as I took the kids to the outdoor marche at a neighboring town.  I think people enjoyed seeing me with 4 bundled kids as the kids were constantly given samples.  At one point, we noticed Luciana was not with us.  We turned around to see her 2 stands away standing with her finger pointing at something.  I assumed it was something sweet she wanted- but it turned out to be this very large cucumber.  She loves them almost as much as she loves chocolate.  The vendor was laughing as we bought it and she carried it with her for the rest of the trip.   Looks like a slow week with the exception of my sisters arrival on Friday.  I know I will have lots of stories and photos to post in a couple weeks!