This weekend was busy as usual.  Saturday we went to Chateau Fontainbleau.   The castle dates back to 1137  and was occupied by every king, Naploeon and Presidents of the 3rd Republic.  It is immense and has many courtyards and gardens.

Napoleon's throne room

Queen's bedroom- it is also where Luciana asked if she could take a nap

Olivia in the Basillica

We then went to a place called Foret Domanaile de Fontanebleau. It is a forest with trails and large rocks that is now popular with rock climbers.  Historically, it is where kings went hunting and it was used for military interests as well.  Later it became the inspiration for many impressionist artists.  And most recently it is where Olivia was wrestling her sister and injured her foot.  It was our first visit to the ER room in 10 years- thankfully it isn't broken.  The ER visit was quick and efficient.  After having x-rays, seeing 2 doctors, given pain medicine and having her foot wrapped ( just 3 layers of gauze mixed with rubbing alcohol- Dr says it reduces swelling and helps with pain) -the bill came out to 42 Euros....that is $55!!!! What is wrong with our healthcare system!

Chris and I decided to spend the last few mornings doing the tourist/historical tours. We spent one day at Les Invalides. We did the audio tours and learned as much as we could about Napoleon and Charles de Gaulle.

Napoleon's tomb

The following day we went to Ile de la Cite- which means island of the city. I was surprised to see that there is a beach on the right bank of the Seine- people were sunbathing on the sand.

We stopped at La Conciergerie, which is a former royal palace and prison. The first photo is called the Hall of Guards- built @1350. It is amazing to see how beautifully it was built and how it has been preserved.

In the cellars is where hundreds of prisoners during the French Revolution were taken. It is also where Marie Antoinette was kept during the Reign of Terror. This is a picture of her cell where she stayed before she was executed on the guillotine.

We also went to two art museums - Centre Pompidou and Musee d'Orsay. Pompidou is a museum of modern art and has an exhibition on Roy Lichtenstein, where as Musee d'Orsay holds mainly French Art dating from 1848 to 1915, including paintings, sculptures, and furniture.  It has the largest collection of impressionist pieces in the world by painters such as Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh.  I have to say that Chris and I much preferred the latter.  We had a difficult time appreciating some of the "modern art".

Centre Pompidou

Musee d'Orsay

There really is so much to see that we need to find a different approach on our visits. Rather than see things geographically ( the history, architecture and historical figures get all jumbled together that it gets a bit confusing)- we are thinking perhaps to view Paris historically- starting in the middle ages followed by the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. I think we will appreciate and understand the history of Paris much better!

Kids are now finished with summer camp.  I am very happy with the program. The kids learned a bit of french, made lots of friends, explored the city and are becoming a bit more well-rounded...which is exactly what Chris and I had hoped for.  Below are photos of camp.

Olivia (at top), Alex (bottom left) making chocolate

Luciana painting

Luciana and Emilia making cupcakes

We enjoyed our afternoons  with the kids at the Jardin du Ranelagh- a short walk from their camp.  It is a park that includes a playground, a marionnette, and pony rides. It also has two rides for the kids that cost 1Euro for 5 minutes. One is a swing and the other is a brass ring carousel. This was Emilia's favorite.  There are a large number of iron rings and a few brass ones.  It takes some dexterity to grab a ring  as the carousel rotates but Emilia was quite good!

Alex and Luciana on the swing

Luciana is always singing this adorable song. Emilia starts it off and Luciana finishes it in the second video.

Olivia is doing well- misses gymnastics as it doesn't start until September.  She seems to have grown up quite a bit these weeks- a lot less drama and a lot more enjoyable! Alex ate his first green salad and the kids are enjoying our nightly desserts.  We went to a restaurant called  Creperie Les Artistes in Ville D'Avray.  Hands down the best crepes we have ever had!    Next week we are spending the week with the kids - should be lots of fun stories!

Sunday we went to La Chapelle-Saint Sepulcre. It is a small town about 1.5 hours south of Paris. It is the country home of Chris's uncle where Chris has many childhood memories. It was nice to see Chris walk around the property sharing his stories with the children.

We then took at short trip to a town called Montargis. This town is often called the "Venice of the Gatinais" because of its canals and bridges. Its quite an old town- dating back to ancient times and then when it ceded to France in 1188. It is where pralines were first made in the 17th century- we bought some pralines from the original shop that is still in business.

As we headed home wondering what to prepare for dinner- we discovered a fantastic chain called Picard. It has gourmet frozen food and desserts. It is quite small- only two aisles but I spent a good 30 minutes exploring all my options- everything from lasagna to paella to stuffed clams. I have found my go to place when I don't feel like cooking. I am still getting adjusted to our tiny kitchen and I haven't quite figured out the buttons on the stove. This is my struggle as of now- the electronics. I don't know how to retrieve my voice mails, set up the clock on the stove or set the proper settings on the laundry machines. We just discovered that we have a condenser dryer- meaning there is no vent. Rather, there is a tray at the bottom that holds the water that needs to be emptied often! Thank goodness for google translate or we would have never figured out what the blinking red light was telling us!

I forgot to mention that Saturday was our first date night!  Chris and I always find a sitter - it's a priority for us.  We already have two here- one that starts every Saturday evening and another for occasional nights and she also does overnights!

Saturday we went to Vaux-le-Victome.  It is a chateau in a small town called Maincy.  It is a very special place as this is where Chris proposed to me in August of 2000.   Chris said he had a client meeting in Paris and wanted me to join him for a long weekend- I don't know how he managed to pull off the surprise! It was fun to show the kids where "it all started".  Lots of pictures today-including one of Chris recreating the proposal in the same spot and then Alex proposing to Emilia.   She said "no- because our children would have 4 heads if they we got married".

It has been a few days since I posted anything and my mom and my best friend were worried!  I just have been busy.  We have spent the last few days organizing the house, unpacking, frequent visits to IKEA, grocery shopping- just getting all the unglamorous logistics done of any move.  On our first trip to IKEA we had all the children.  There is a play center for kids ages 4-7 so we thought we could sneak Luciana in with Emilia.  It would be easier to get through the store quickly.  We said she was 4- not that she looks even remotely close to it!  In 3 minutes, we heard our names over the loud register to return to the play center.  They wanted proof of Luciana's age- we did not have any so we took the kids out.    I asked Emilia what happened and she was very excited to tell me that they asked her how old Luciana was and she was so proud of herself because she answered them in French -"trois".  I laughed as I told her we were pretending she was four and she told me we should never lie to French people.   She is probably right!  We also had to register our car- which is like the Secretary of State- so it took hours. We waited in line to register our visas only to discover we were waiting in line to make an appointment to register - which is scheduled for next Monday.  We bought at TV and now have our cable, internet, etc all hooked up.  We are still waiting for our dishwasher and laundry machines to be delivered so the kids have all been huddled in our pint size kitchen - washing, drying and putting away dishes two or three times a day.  Not very exciting.  Although today was a big accomplishment for me.  Chris had a work call and I had to drive into Paris and pick up the kids from camp all on my own.   I am OK with most of the driving here with the exception of two things: the roundabouts get me a bit nervous as to who has the right away and the street signs are constantly changing.  Every couple blocks the street has a new name or multiple names so map quest can be confusing.  Also there is no directional navigation here.   I can't seem to get my bearings yet.  There are no north, south, east, west signs with the street and highway exits.  Only the names of towns are listed on the signs so you have to know your France geography.  For example if you see a sign for Lyon- you need to know exactly where it is to know that you are headed south.  Kids are in camp this week and are had a chef come in today and teach them how to make madeleines.  Friday- they go to a chocolate factory!  They are starting to pick up on french- especially expressions as Emilia is always saying "viola" and Alex is always saying "d'accord".   This week will continue to be a bit slow as we finalize our logistics- car insurance, bank accounts, and plan a mini-vacation..but hopefully I will have something fun to share soon!

Week one of summer camp is over.  The families here either attend the school during the school year, are returning summer campers or families that have decided to spend the summer in Paris and send their kids to school for 2-4 weeks to learn French while the parents explore the city.  What a brilliant idea!  I suspect Chris and I will do this from now on any future summer breaks abroad.  Kids had a great week at school but had a rough time with the hot lunches.  I loved that the kids were not given dessert unless they ate a good portion of their meals.  Three of my kids have now tried onions, an unidentifiable meat with gravy and skin on a chicken.  I am still holding out for Alex- he has been starving all week.  Last night I caught the kids with dry spaghetti noodles pretending they were smoking in front of the mirror.  I just chuckled as I know they are just curious.  After all, until this trip I think they may have seen a person smoke about a handful of times in their entire lives.  Tonight is our last evening living in the city.  As we pack up our minivan and head to the suburbs tomorrow I find it all a bit ironic.  When I first packed my clothes for the trip I refused to bring anything frumpy.  I was going to  be chic- and for the most part I have been.  But a piece of me is worried that as I get comfortable in the suburbs will I again be wearing my lululemon pants and my hair in a pony tail?  With that- I ask for my friends and family to visit.  We have a guest bedroom and it will ensure that I frequently visit the city!  This weekend we are going to assemble our 65 boxes of IKEA furniture and watch a bit of the last leg of the Tour de France.  They will be flying by us just a short distance from our home. Very excited to see that live!

I finally feel comfortable walking around the 16th Arr.  I know once I find the enormous advertisement of Bradley Cooper eating Haagen Dazs ice cream that I am not lost.   I am enjoying the daily stops at different cafes.  In fact I have had more coffee in one week in France than I have had in the past 11 years.  Maybe I needed caffeine all these years.  I must say that the fruit also tastes much better here.  The strawberries are the best I ever had and they are of normal size- not like the steroid injected ones we often find in the states.  I have been getting along with out Chris- although I couldn't figure out the remote controls to let the kids watch TV.  Why is it though that I was easily able to figure out how to use a French washing machine and dryer?  Doesn't seem fair.  I have yet to encounter the "rude French".  In fact, I have found quite the opposite.  I went to the market this morning and in my best French accent said, "Bonjour Monsieur. Cinq pêches, s'il vous plaît".    The gentleman looked at me and in his best English accent said, "five peaches please".  We exchanged smiles and I was on my way feeling a bit more comfortable.  Just a little bit of effort goes a long way.  I highly recommend learning a few key words/phrases and of course be polite! A simple "Excusez-moi Monsieur.  Pouvez-vous m'aider, s'il vous plaît ?  Je ne parle pas francais." (Excuse me Sir. Can you help me please?  I don't speak French) will get just about any Parisian to stop and eagerly assist you.  I have used it twice today and everyone has been quite friendly and helpful.  After all, what would your response be if a Spanish tourist in Chicago asked you in Spanish "hey- where's the Sears tower?"  You might ignore them or muffle under your breath to learn some English.  But had they attempted politely in English, you know you would help them!

On a different note, today was another successful day at school.  In the morning I  looked at Olivia's school work from yesterday and she had written that she was Mexican.  I asked her why- and she said she didn't understand the question and wanted to do something different.   I asked her how she was going to explain today that she doesn't speak Spanish.  I told her to tell them she was American.  She said it was too late and that the boys already thought she looked Mexican.  She was too embarrassed to change her story and would rather pretend for another week.  But that is my Olivia- as yesterday she didn't know how to ask in French if she could use the bathroom.  Rather than make an attempt, she waited until she got home from school.  Luciana's teachers told me she was not allowed to wear sandals. They said she is very independent and fearless.  They were very worried at the playground as she climbed to the highest points in her flip flops and said they could not devote all their attention to just her.  I agreed!  After school we went to a public pool with the children's new friends.  At the pool one is required to wear a bathing cap and the boys must wear tight fitting suits.  Both are available in a vending machine.  As you can see in the photo, Alex looks adorable in his speedo!  This indoor pool had a solarium.  There is a door that leads upstairs to a cement roof deck and a bit of grass that is meant for sunbathing. Fortunately only Olivia noticed the topless sunbathers as I know Emilia would have asked questions loudly!   Kids had fun and we ventured home on the train. We made it 36 hours without Chris...but I am so looking forward to his return as just hearing him speak French makes me smile!