Moving to Paris : June 2014

Not too eventful couple weeks so I put of posting my blog until Debbie/bonemamman/Chris's mom arrived! I have been very busy trying to sell our furniture as we are leaving Saint Cloud July 01. We have a 5 bedroom house full of furniture that needs to be sold. I have a few big items left that I plan on donating. Its been a lot of work just posting and updating on different sites and then having to try and negotiate in french... I have practically given everything away.

Olivia and Alex went on their week long school trips. The both had a great time and definitely on the top of their favorite memory lists. Olivia went to Brittany. She shared a room with 4 other girls. They learned to kayak, fish and sail a catamaran. The kids were divided into groups of three and taught how to steer and navigate the boat (all in french) and then were pushed put to sea. Olivia said the fear and excitement was incredible and she thinks she may be a natural sailor. They visited a castle and did some land activities as well. Unfortunately- mid trip Olivia got an ear and throat infection...but a quick visit to the Dr and she was well enough to continue the excursion. She had a wonderful time!

Alex went to a farm a few hours north of Paris. He learned how to make bread and butter. They had to walk the horses and care for the small animals. They went fishing and made hot plates out of sticks. Alex came home with an unopened bottle of shampoo and soap....yes, a whole week without a shower!

Chris and I were able to get tickets to the French Open-Rolland Garros. We had a great time watching the women's semi finals. We saw Sharipova play and the atmosphere was fun! When the kids came home that we took them to the zoo and went to Versailles for a bike ride through the gardens.

Rolland Garros

Olivia is into these "selfies" as she hijacked my camera

Alex and Olivia at the petting zoo

Alex had field trip to a compost/recycling farm. I volunteered to chaperon. Kids learned to how to make a compost and live off natural resources. At one point they showed the kids how to herd sheep. 20 kids were running and chasing the sheep. The funny part was when the came back. They were all yelping in pain as they had run through a nettles bush and were stung all over their legs. It's not right to say it was funny- but it was and the pain only lasted about 20 minutes. Alex also had his final french performance which was great to see how his french has progressed in the year.

Caught a shot of the boys after the nettles stings!

Alex played the part of the cuckoo clock and the candy store clerk

Debbie arrived on Tuesday. We had lunch and spent the day low key for Debbie to adjust to time zone. On Wednesday, we spend the day at the kids schools for their end of year celebrations. Alex and Olivia had their last day of school last Thursday. It was a sad day as the kids said their good-byes. Emilia and Luciana still have another week. Chris took his mom into Paris on Thursday - visiting the Musee Rodin and walking for hours. On Friday we hired a tour guide to give us a history of the Marais area with Debbie. It was an area she had wanted to learn more about. We started the tour at the Louvre and walked to the Marais. On Friday evening we went out for some fine french dining. La Grande Cascade is a Michelin restaurant in Bois de Bologne. We were greeted with great service. Even our purses were given a cushioned foot stool as to not rest on the floor. The 7 course meal was fantastic and conversation enjoyable. Although it was quite pricey, the service was top notch that it made up for it! Saturday morning we went to the marche as Debbie was to prepare a french dinner. We got pea pods and the kids loved shucking them! We then headed to Versailles for another bike ride. Debbie had not been on a bike for 20 years but without hesitation took off to enjoy the beautiful views. Saturday was the fete de la Musique. It is an annual event celebrating the summer solstice. Music can be found on the streets throughout all of Paris- from people singing to orchestras. Olivia was invited to the 1 Direction concert at Stade de France and we walked to the center of Saint Cloud to listen to the local bands. Sunday we spent the day at Saint Cloud parc and ended the night with the movie Benji. I had not see in it over 30 years- kids liked it but the acting was just awful! Bonemaman and Chris left Monday morning for Chicago. Chris comes back on Friday as we will be celebrating our last weekend in Paris! Then off to Cannes for the month of July and Chicago on August 1st.