Birthday!

Yes, today is my birthday.  I will be the very old age of 24.  Can you imagine?  Last night I went to dinner with my host family to celebrate.  Chloé and Franck work late tonight, and tomorrow they leave for Belgium for the weekend so last night it was.  I was so appreciative not for the candles and cake, the presents or cards, but for the time that they took out of their busy lives to celebrate with me.  I know it isn't easy taking Marie-Césare to a restaurant especially at 8:00 at night, and I'm more than sure they were exhausted...but it meant a lot to me that they would plan to celebrate properly with me.  We went to a small place in the 18th, where I had champagne to start, fish for dinner, and pain perdu for birthday dessert.  It was delish!  The dessert was my favorite.  It was a souped up version of French Toast, made with homemade brioche and caramel sauce.  

Marie-Césare sang this to me in honor of my birthday!  Isn't it precious?!  

I couldn't have asked for a better host family, or a better birthday celebration.  Not sure what I will do today, but hopefully something fun and Parisian.  Maybe some macarons from Ladurée?  Some heavenly French pastries that I walk past every day and never have the chance to try?  We will see!! 

Disneyland Paris

*WARNING...Super Cheesy Photos Ahead*

If Minnie Mouse and Cinderella are not your cup of tea, this blog post might not be for you.  I, however, love all things Disney and am one of the cheesy people that thinks Disney is the happiest place on earth.  Well, Disneyland/Disneyworld in the US anyway.  Disneyland Paris has a much different atmosphere, and is a much smaller park I believe.  The "cast members" who work at Disneyland Paris are grouchy, unhappy, and not so willing to serve.  Which I suppose fits their French personalities perfectly.  They don't walk around all day with a fake smile on their face, and there is no pretending going on.  They look as if they were out drinking until 4 am, and this job is simply just for booze money.  Well, maybe it is!

 Now I don't remember much about my last trip to Disney in the states, but I was young, so I do remember character breakfasts, meeting Cinderella and Goofy, my pink, blue, and purple fanny pack with my name on it, getting lice, being scared out of my mind to ride space mountain, and waiting in line for hours just to ride Dumbo one time.  Those are the fun (and not so fun) things that come to my mind.  

Ashleigh and I took the RER A to the end of the line which spits you right out at the entrance to the park.  We grabbed some maps, and got to walking.  We decided to do Disney Park before Walt Disney Studios and do Walt Disney Studios if we had time.  But before riding any rides, we had to buy our Minnie ears!  Okay, so I looked for a princess hat but there weren't any pretty ones for under 20 euros, so Minnie ears it was! They were pretty cute and made for some great photos!  

At Mad Hatter's Tea Cups

Sleeping Beauty's Castle

Our first stop was Space Mountain.  I have no idea how Ashleigh got me to ride it...because normally I would be the one sitting with all the bags waiting for everyone to come out.  Maybe I felt bad if she had to ride by herself, maybe I didn't want to wait by myself for an hour while she was in line...either way, I did it.  I remember the last time I regretfully went on Space Mountain I didn't open my eyes at ALL.  I clenched my fists so tightly around the handlebars that my hands were cramping when I got off.  I am a screamer...which Ashleigh couldn't get enough of.  She would start laughing at me, then I at her....and by the time that was all over with the ride came to a halt.  I can say that I didn't see ANY of Space Mountain again this time AND my hands were cramping just the same.  We went out to look at our photos....those lovely photos they take just before you spiral down to your supposed death.  Ashleigh, who fixed her hair and practically knew when the photo was coming looked great and smiled in all of our photos.  I, however, looked like a hot mess with my chin buried in my chest and my eyes shut so tight nothing was getting through.  

Our next stop was a little more tame, Mad Hatter's Tea Cups.  Ahh yes....this is a little more my speed.  

We had our first pick of tea cups, so we raced to beat all the little kids to the cute pink one with the hearts.  Win!  They were just as enjoyable as always, a nice leisurely spin in a tea cup.  Who wouldn't love that?  The ride lasted about 1 minute, maybe just shy of 1 minute and a half.  A pitifully short ride.  

On the schedule for the characters it said there was a princess party/meet and greet just outside the tea cups. We looked around, couldn't find anything, then finally stumbled upon what was a pop up tent with one princess inside.  One princess?! That's hardly worth waiting in line....(not to mention the line was ridiculous!) Turns out the princesses take turns every 30 minutes or so, so if you want to meet more than one princess you have to get back in line!  Isn't that sad?!  There was a 2 hour block and that was all.  The princesses didn't wander around the park all day like I remember.  They do this 2 hour signing, the parade (one time per day), and a SHORT show at 7pm where they frolick with their princes and that is it!  Oh....the life of a princess.  

After whinging a little over the lack of princess presence in the park, we picked our sadness up off the floor and headed over to It's A Small World.  Another one of my faves.  The lines weren't too long at this point, as it was still pretty early in the day.  The highlight of It's A Small World?  The France section, with the Eiffel Tower of course! 

I asked Ashleigh if we had passed Australia yet and she said, "No, I don't think so. But surely I can't miss it."  Next thing you know we turn the corner to find 2 kangaroos and nothing else.  I yelled, "Ash....Australia!" and she missed it.  ha!  

After lunch, she got me on yet another big ride, Big Thunder Mountain.  After we sung along to 'Oh! Susanna' and 'On Top of Old Smoky' per the theme of the Thunder Mountain Railroad (which, by the way, we were the only ones who knew what those songs even were...).  Some kids even looked at us funny as we started singing along to the tune.  Thunder Mountain wasn't SO bad, but I still had my eyes shut and fists clenched as we cleared the last turn.  I was thankful to be alive as I got off, and we went in search of some sugar.  With no success, as we were hoping to find churros or something, we hopped on the train and took it back to Fantasyland where I saw a crêpe stand which would have to suffice.  Unfortunately, it was the absolute WORST crêpe I have ever eaten.  It was burnt on the edges, the "chocolate/noisette" Nutella replacement was cold and hard, the actual crêpe was chewy and cold.  It's a good thing I wasn't expecting much because it was a major disappointment.  

As we were wandering trying to find the parade route, we found the only place in the park that had cotton candy-sold!  We bought one and took it down towards the parade to munch on.  It was a much needed pick-me-up.  The parade was very short and we could barely see anything....but what we did see was fun!  After the parade, we left to go back to the rest of the rides before dinner or going to Disney Studios.  The line for Pirates of the Caribbean wasn't long at all, so that passed by quickly.  The line for Indiana Jones was about an hour...the longest line we sat in all day.  I wasn't thinking it was a big ride, from the way Ashleigh described the one in California it sounded quite tame.  As we approached the front closer and closer, I saw a complete 360 degree loop.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  It was too late to turn back, so I spent the last 20 minutes in line freaking myself out.  My palms were sweaty and I couldn't stop moving.  After about a 2 minute wait we shot off at a million miles an hour and before I knew it, the ride was over.  My eyes still shut I didn't see a thing.  It lasted about 30 seconds and while I did know when we were doing a 360 degree loop, it didn't last long enough for me to even think twice.  

Main Street, U.S.A. Now come on people...it realllllly doesn't look like this.

Dumbo! My favorite!

Our walk to Disney Studios was pointless, as that park closed at 7!  Its too bad we didn't know that ahead of time, or we would have done that first.  I just assumed they both closed at 10.  We walked back to Disneyland Park to catch the end of Mickey and friends-the show.  After the show there was only time for one more ride so we chose Peter Pan's Flight.  Which I don't remember from my last visit.  The line was about an hour long...but worth it.  It was the cutest ride!  You stepped into this flying boat and soared over London and the entire Peter Pan movie scene.  All while listening to, "You Can Fly!"  It was too cute.

It was a wonderful way to celebrate my birthday and I'm so glad Ashleigh was able to come along!  We were so exhausted afterwards, and I got up Sunday morning early for Marie-Césare's birthday party...another day to wear me out!  I'll try and post pictures, etc. tonight or tomorrow.  Taking Marie-Césare to the doctor this afternoon then going to dinner with everyone for my birthday!  So sweet of them to take off work early in the middle of the week to do something for me.  I am very appreciative even though it is not necessary!  

Candy

Every French child loves their bonbons.  It is always a special treat to have bonbons...any kind!  Today, Cléo's father brought these Haribo jelly bean type candies to the park.  At first it was just Marie-Césare, Manon, and Cléo, as usual but a few minutes later once everyone realized that bonbons were being given away we had a crowd of about 10 children.  All with their hands outstretched and a big "s'il te plaît!" added on.  

I also found out that there are around 30 people coming to their birthday party on Sunday! We thought only about 8 or 10 people would show up but turns out everyone can come....whew!  That's a big birthday party for two three (almost four) year olds.  I can only imagine the fights, mess, and arguing that will go on.  

Going to Eurodisney, or excuse me, now called Disneyland Paris tomorrow with Ash!  Cannot wait!! So excited to celebrate my birthday a little bit! Hopefully the lines won't be too long...HA.  What a joke!  I'm just hoping to score with Cendrillon and the "Teacup" ride.  Oh and maybe a little Jasmin and "It's a Small World" ride.  Or mom and dad....maybe I should get a fanny pack with my name on it so everyone already knows my name when they sign my signature book?  "Wow mommy!!!! She knew my name!!!"..........

Mother Nature

I wish mother nature would leave the world alone!!  It is high time that the southern United States gets a break!!

Sable

Sorry my posts haven't been so exciting lately!! The humdrum of the week doesn't seem so important to write about.  Even today was rather boring!  Manon came over as usual, we did have quite a few "tiffs" between the girls this morning, but wasn't life or death.  All the talk is about their birthday party this coming Sunday at Park de Bercy.  It's pretty far from where they live in the 9th, I only hope a few friends show up and the weather is nice!  

After our nap (yes, it is now our nap as I have taken a liking to Wednesday afternoon naps under the covers on the couch) we met Phanie and Manon at Parc Monceau for a little romp in the sand.  Franck told Marie-Césare that she could play in the sand today and for me to take a change of clothes.  I knew Mama Lachaize was not going to like this, but she was already so excited about it and couldn't get it out of her mind.  We packed a backpack with a change of clothes, goûter, sunglasses, pail and shovel, and sunscreen and hopped on the metro.  Before Manon even arrived she was covered from head to toe in sand and water.  The fountain is just near the bac a sable (sandbox) so all the kids fill their pails with water and slosh them over to the giant sandbox.  Before you know it its one big, muddy, sandy, mess.  Oh yea, the sandbox too.  

I basically stripped her down to nothing, dumped a pail of clean water over her head, dried her off in the sun and with paper towels and kleenex (I failed to think of the drying part) and put her new clothes on.  Which she then proceeded to somehow get wet while I wasn't looking.  Chloé was home when we got there, after being in New York since Monday.  She arrived home with lots of American goodies, huge ribbon hair bows from Bergdorf's, and M & M's with Happy Birthday written on them.  

Still trying to figure out plans for Disney on Saturday...but hopefully it will work out!! It may end up just being me and Ash but that's alright by me as well.  Although that means I will actually have to ride things with her instead of just being a bystander.  (Truthfully, I am more interested in having my picture taken with the princesses...) Birthday in 6 days and mom and Pat come in 11 days!!! Yessss!!!! Really glad volcano 'di%cvgb&weli*n2' hasn't blown again...I told my mother if that it does and it interrupts their trip, I will personally go jump in!  

How to become a Parisian in one hour

How do you become a Parisian in one hour?  Well, Olivier Geraud did a pretty good job at telling us.  Ashleigh and I found this advertisement in the Fusac, the local classifieds and advertisements for the English speaking residents of Paris.  Ashleigh had been told it was good, and I am always down for a good laugh, so we got her mom in on the action and headed out late this afternoon.  The show started at 5:30 in a little theater near Bastille so we bought our tickets and headed into the theater.  The seats were long benches with red cushions to sit on as well as one cushion for your back as the "back" of your chairs were simply a metal rod that hit just above your tailbone.  Pretty pointless if you ask me.  If the show was longer than an hour I'm not sure I would have made it through!  

He started off with a little background history, asking where the audience was from, and loosening us up a bit by having us say some French words.  The audience was from all over the world...Peru, Australia, America, Brazil, China, etc.  But of course....the Americans were made fun of the most.  I suppose its because we have a lot of habits that are oh so easy to make fun of.  And what he mentioned was hilarious stuff that I of course KNEW was true.  Like how Americans smile all the time, are so happy, and are always showing off their teeth.  The way the girls dance in the bars and drive their Mercedes around town.  Its hilarious.  

The show was even funnier because I have been here awhile and have already picked up on those terrible French expressions and moods.  How you always pick a point to stare at on the metro and never lose your gaze.  How if you stand on the left side of the escalator you simply must be a tourist.  And how if you walk into a store you musn't talk to anyone and be as rude as possible.  And I agree, those things are very French!  

At the end of the show these 2 middle aged women from Atlanta who were sitting down front shouted up at the stage, "You are such a hunk!"  And the guy said in the most typical French accent..."Hunk?  What is a...hunk?" You could practically hear crickets in the room because the only ones who knew what they were talking about were the other Americans.  As they were walking out of the theater I heard them say to each other, "Hunk?  Hunk is universal....everyone knows what a hunk is..."  No ladies...I'm afraid the word "hunk" is however, NOT universal.  

My neck/shoulder is better, but I still feel as if I have to turn from my waist because it still isn't properly healed.  Have to take Marie-Césare to the doctor tomorrow...maybe I'll have them take a look. ha!  

Pickpockets

Yesterday started off very interesting.  I met some fellow au pairs at Champ de Mars, in front of the Eiffel Tower for a picnic.  We had quite a spread... tomatoes, baguettes, cheese, strawberries, chocolate...you know, the essentials.  

I took out my Iphone and took a couple of pictures, and laid back down on the grass to continue reading the paper I grabbed from the metro to see what was going on in the world today.  I set my phone down beside me, not really thinking anything about it.  A few minutes later these gypsy children came over to our area, holding up these plain pieces of paper covered in a plastic sheet protector begging for food and other things.  We told them to go away and like I normally do I didn't look at them hoping they would go away.   A few minutes later a nice young English guy came over and asked if we had all of our stuff because the gypsies tried to take his phone, and thought he saw them run away with something of ours.  All of us immediately panicked, and of course what was missing but my Iphone.....  We looked around and we could still see the gypsy children in the distance and we both darted off after them.  I haven't run that fast in a long time.  The guy started yelling at them once we were close enough, and the kid just dropped my phone on the grass and walked off.  I could not thank that guy enough, and I returned to my friends who still weren't sure what was going on.  Turns out, the gypsies distract you with the paper and their incessant neediness, put the paper over whatever it is they want, then slide their other hand under the paper and snatch it.  

I'll have to say, I give them credit for their craft and sneakiness.  The act is in no way, shape, or form okay...but they sure have it down to a "T."  I have been approached by the silent gypsies wanting you to sign their petition, the men trying to tie your fingers together just below Montmartre, and even witnessed a man jumping off the metro just as the doors were closing who had just stolen a womans cell phone while she was texting.  But, never this!!  30 minutes later we saw the whole gypsy family again coming to do another "sweep" of the picnic area.  We watched as they circled groups of picnic-ers looking for unaccompanied cell phones, cameras, and wallets to bend down and snatch.  We stopped a couple of thefts from happening and were on the lookout the rest of the afternoon.  They got one couple by distracting them by stealing their coke and the couple was too distracted by that and left their belongings.  

The next time they came around, it was like they didn't remember me and they tried it again....are you serious?! (Of course all of my things were in my purse and I was clutching my purse for dear life...ha!) I said a few choice words I probably shouldn't have, the little boy hit Cathie in the head with his paper, and I wanted to chase them down, tie their hands together and drag them to the police.  

We also were bombarded by a group of teenage boys who I guess were dared to come and pile on our picnic.  They were harmless, and dared to come speak to us by their friends but at that point we were so on guard of our personal belongings we just found it annoying.  Needless to say, if we are ever going to picnic for long periods of time again, we will not be going to the Champ de Mars.  Another blog that I follow mentioned that someone stole the cash right out of her backpack as she was walking up the metro stairs.  How slick is that?!  They left everything else, but were somehow able to open her backpack, get the wallet, steal the cash, and close the backpack before she even felt anyone was back there.  Since its now summer and tourist season, the pickpockets are out in full swing.  I'm thankful it was just my phone and now I know to be more aware than I have been lately.  A little wake up call if you will.  

Last night after work Ashleigh, her mom and I went to see Minuit á Paris.  It was pretty amazing to know exactly where every scene took place, and the fact that I can recognize that makes me smile!  The movie wasn't exactly as I expected, but it was still really good!  I like to think that Paris in the 20's would also be my era of choice to return to.  

I woke up this morning with a pinched nerve or a pulled muscle in my neck/shoulder.  I was suppose to hang out with Ash and her mother but will have to put that on hold until this heals up a little better.  I hate spending Saturday at home, but I don't want to make things worse...besides, I don't think I can go down my stairs without it hurting!  

Invitations

Manon arrived early yesterday morning, because we had an actual task to get done before art class.  Chloé sent me on a mission on Tuesday to find birthday party invitations.  Manon and Marie-Césare's actual birthdays are in July, but no one is ever here in July or August because they are on vacation, so the two families have gotten together to plan a two-for-one birthday for the end of May.  I think its a great idea, but I'm pretty sure that when it comes down to the day of, the girls are going to hate sharing their birthdays...I might be wrong, so we shall see.  I couldn't find any Disney Princess or Barbie invitations, so I bought blank hot pink notecards and matching envelopes and tons of stickers, jewels, and glitter glue for the girls decorate them with.  Yes, this kind of thing is very expensive and I have only found it at BHV but since I wasn't paying for it I kinda went a little crazy.  

I cut all the sheets of stickers in two pieces, sat the girls on opposite sides of the tables, made sure there were 2 of everything...and we went to town.  They had clear directions not to use all the stickers on one notecard and only decorate one side so we could post the directions and information on the other.  Things went well!  There were no dramatic disputes, no horrifying accidents, and not one invitation looked better than the other.  The girls were so proud of what they had made!

After art class, lunch, and a super long nap (I managed to sneak in about an hour of sleep as well) we met Manon and Fanny, Manon's Wednesday babysitter, at Parc Monceau.  We had goûter in the grass, played in the fountain, and of course the sand.  I know Chloé said no, but it is so hard when all of her friends are rolling around in the huge sandbox of fun and she is just standing on the sidelines watching.  So, I gave in yesterday and told her yes...you would think I handed her a lifetime supply of bonbons at how excited she was.  

Around 6 I decided it was time to go, and we agreed to take the bus back with Manon and Fanny.  I don't take the bus hardly at all, because the metro is just so easy and fast.  Fanny told me where we got on was just outside the park, and the closest stop was just below the park near their school.  I usually like to have Marie-Césare in the bath by 6:30 and sitting down at the table by 7.  The walk to the bus stop was a pretty good hike with two 3 year old girls and a rolling backpack full of toys.  (Fanny then declared that she will never bring the valise anywhere with them again....smart girl.)  We didn't get on the bus until 6:30 and the walk home with Marie-Césare took almost 30 minutes from the bus stop.  Needless to say, we should have just taken the metro.  Faster, closer, and normally people give up their seats for a 3 year old.  After running home and throwing her into the bath, I fixed up a quick meal and Chloé soon returned excited to see the final product of the invitations.  She was pleased and so was Manon's mom, I showed her today after school.

We went to Cléo's house after school today (with Manon and her mom of course) which is always fun for the girls and good for me.  Its good for me to have to sit through French conversations of actual adults instead of just talking to kids.  Today I understood everything that was going on, but still not fast enough to interject into a conversation....I only speak when spoken to.  Which, is pretty normal of my character too.

Tomorrow some au pairs are meeting at Champ de Mars for un pique-nique!  Hope to have some good weather.  Laine's baccalaureate service is tonight and I am so excited for her!  Tomorrow is the big day and I wish her nothing but happiness!!

Nerdy Kind of Day

The weather turned a bit crisp and cold this weekend, with the smell of spring rain in the air.  Ashleigh and I started Saturday at the sewer museum.  Yes, the Paris underground sewer museum.  It was quite a steep admission price, considering you were going to see rats, water, and pipes, but something that has been recommended by several people so we paid and went down.  The stench was the first thing I noticed...but hey, what did I expect?  You were given a guide pamphlet with corresponding numbers to describe each place.  We walked through several demonstrations before finally reaching the pipes, trenches, and wiring.  Until the Middle Ages, all of the drinking water came from the Seine.  (Yuck! Was what we immediately thought.)  In 1370 the first basic sewer was built under rue Montmartre.  Over the next 500 years, people continued to get their water from the Seine and other tributaries, but it wasn't until 1850 that Haussmann designed and constructed the Parisien sewer system that we have today.  Including the installation of two separate underground pipes, one for drinking water, and the other for sewage.

There are right at 2100 kilometers of tunnels of sewer system in Paris.  Much of the eastern side of Paris uses "Seine water" and most of the sewage and water used in the whole of Paris is treated and put back into the Seine.  Although it is perfectly safe and is monitored 24 hours a day, it does make you wonder!

The sewer system has been a tourist attraction since 1892.  Tourists were taken down into the tunnels and given a tour in a locomotive drawn wagon.  Neat, huh?  The sewers basically follow the streets along exactly, there are even street name signs underground that match the ones above ground!  Although the short distance that we got to see underneath didn't go to far under (thank goodness) we got a good feel for how our water gets to us.  And honestly, when I got home that night to fill up my glass...I did think twice about drinking the tap water.

After the most enlightening and informative underground tour, we went to the Champ de Mars for a little grass lying before deciding on our evening activity.

Last night was a special night in Paris.  It was the "Night of the Museums" all over Europe. Free entrance, and late hours, plus many of them offering special exhibitions and activities.  Most museums in Paris were open until 12 or 1 am.  Of course we wanted to participate in this annual occasion!  Since we have done all the regular museums (and even some of the irregular) we looked at the list and decided on the "Musée de la Poste" or The Post Office Museum.  Yes, it was a nerdy decision, but we both prefer letters and snail mail over email any day.  And I'm not sure I knew it even existed until yesterday!

I turned the internet on my phone and type in the address we were going on my directions and map page.  We got off the metro and began to walk toward Rue Vaugirard.  34 Rue Vaugirard to be exact.  We walked and walked and walked to what felt like forever until we reached 36 Rue Vaugirard.  We walked further down the street and back to retrace our steps....nothing.  I scratched my head with confusion.  "I know the website said 34 Rue Vaugirard," I told her.  She pulled out her Lonely Planet guide to double check.  I read it in her guide.  "BOULEVARD Vaugirard!" We exclaimed at the same time.  Oh man, big huge mistake for Maggie.  Where is Boulevard Vaugirard we asked?  I looked on the map...not TOO far, so we decided to just plug on and go for it.

Feeling a bit sluggish, we finally found the entrance to the museum.  Considering the less than mediocre service we have received at all the Poste branches here in Paris, we had little to no hopes for this museum.  We walked in and were greeted by a very happy woman who handed us the itinerary for the evening.  An itinerary for the Poste museum?  She shuffled us over to the elevator and wished us a good museum visit.  On the elevator I told Ashleigh that that was the nicest welcome I've ever gotten in a museum.  She quickly came back with, "That's the nicest welcome I've ever gotten in France!"  ha....

Once we stepped off the elevators we were asked if we wanted to participate in creating postcards?  Before saying yes, we peeked our head into the room to see exactly who was participating.  No, it wasn't only children, but adults as well so we kindly obliged.  We were sat down at a table with a blank postcard, construction paper, funky scissors, glue, stickers, magazine clippings, markers, crayons....oh man, it was great!!!!!

After a good 30 minutes of cutting, gluing, and coloring, we took our finished products to the mail bag so they could be sent to the address of our choice.  I sent mine to Marie-Césare, not only because it was the only address I knew off the top of my head in France, but because she would enjoy my use of bright colors and flowers.  That 30 minutes of therapeutic crafting also immediately lifted our moods!

The rest of the museum was very interesting...and so much more than we expected!

  

There were ladies of the ancient "poste" that would occasionally come up and read you a poem about the older post office times, demonstrations on how stamps are made, and even a costume show about how the uniform has evolved over the years.  All in French of course, but I was amazed at how much I understood.

We went to the contemporary service at the American Church of Paris today instead of Hillsong.  We've been wanting to try it out so today was just as good of a day as any.  The church has been around since the early 1800's, is a non-denominational Protestant church, and everyone was very welcoming.  The service was much more subdued than Hillsong and honestly if I went back, I would probably attend the traditional service in the morning.  Ashleigh and I agreed that we enjoy the worship at Hillsong and the message at the ACP.  Too bad we can't mash them together!  

Ashleigh's parents are arriving tonight and I am just getting ready for another week with Marie-Césare and Gaspard.  Always enjoy weeks with Gaspard but they wear me out!!! Hope you all have had a wonderful weekend, oh yes and a special Happy Birthday shout out to my Papaw today!!! I love you! 

Laine's Prom

Thinking about my sister, Laine, on her senior prom night tonight!!! I wish I could be there to take pictures, fix her hair, and be at promenade, but I know she is the most beautiful girl there anyway!! Their theme this year is "A Night in Paris"...how ironic!  Our prom was probably one of the best nights of high school and I hope that it's the same memory for her.  Wishing you the most fantastic night, Laine-Loo....I'm thinking about you!  Be safe!!! 

Today wasn't as fabulous of a Wednesday as the last...but it was still a good day!  Manon came by this morning after a week of having the chicken pox.  Marie-Césare has already had them, so there shouldn't be any reason for her to catch them....we hope!  Poor Manon still had places on her face and looked terrible!  

Art class went well, they made some clay sculpture that will be ready to be picked up 3 classes from now.  Chloé always wonders why she pays so much for her to go to class when she brings home just drawings on paper....can't say I blame her!  We made brownies after class and before lunch, some that I had received in a package from someone over the past couple of months.  Chloé got home tonight from her trip to Qatar and tried one and the first thing she said was, "Hmm...how did you make these?  They taste very....American."  BAHAHA.  I love it when they say things like that, because its so true.  And they are pretty bland!  And yes, I told her I just dumped the mix, eggs, oil and water in a bowl.  C'est facile, non?!

Marie-Césare's school is selling these aprons as a fundraiser.  How CUTE are they?!  

Each child drew a small picture and their name, and the company turned them all onto an apron.  What a precious idea!  And what parent wouldn't want one of those?  Franck even bought me one.  I have somehow acquired several aprons since I've been here...but I wouldn't want to miss out on this one for sure.  

We took a quick nap and planned to meet Ashleigh and her girls at a movie theater between us for an afternoon showing of Winnie l'Ourson.  Winnie the Pooh.  Ash and I got our communication screwed up so it was just Marie-Césare and I at the movies.  It was weird having a different version of "The Wonderful Things About Tiggers" and not hearing, "Oh bother..." but it was still cute.  And the perfect length for the little ones to sit through.  And just like I remembered it!  

We went to the park for just a little bit to play with Manon and Cléo, but its really hard on those girls when there are 3 and not just 2 of them.  So, we left early to go see if Chloé was home.  She spent a week in Russia, and has been gone since Monday to somewhere in Qatar.  She came home tonight just dragging her feet and so tired.  Can't say I blame her.  I have lots of questions to ask but I could tell tonight was not the night! ha! 

Tomorrow is another school day and if its sunny going to lie in Parc Monceau.  All of my sun from Italy is going away and I need to not let that happen!  Enjoying a delicious American brownie complete with vanilla ice cream and HERSHEY'S syrup and whipped cream for dinner.  Yep, for dinner.  YUM. 

Fontainebleau

Yesterday while Franck was at school, Didou and I did a switch out with the kids until he got home.  I babysat from around 3 until 7, then went to see "De l'Eau pour les Éléphants" with Ashleigh (which was an extremely good movie by the way...).  

Charlotte, Ashleigh, and I got up early this morning and got on a transilien train towards Fontainebleau.  In Fontainebleau is of course, the Château de Fontainebleau.  Similar to Versailles, but not so crowded.

 The weather was perfect.  Warm enough to wear shorts, but not so hot that you sweat all day.  It was free for us to get in (yay!) so we said what the heck to a one euro audioguide, slid it around our necks, and off we went.  The audioguide was a little more descriptive that it probably needed to be, as we found ourselves just turning it off after 3 or 4 minutes in each room.  The first references to the château date back to the 12th century, since then, all of the kings of France have lived there.  Each king added to and embellished the palace, adding to what it is today.  It is the only château in France that was continuously inhabited for 7 centuries.  Many of the state apartments are decorated by Italian artists in typical renaissance style.  There was a great showcase of Napoleon's things...clothes, jewelry, furniture, china all dating back to the beginning of the 1800's.  But once again I find the ceilings most impressive in these palaces.  Just like at Versailles.  Therefore, I made a little selection of my favorite ceilings for you guys...ha, get excited!

Hard to guess those are ceilings if you're just looking at a partial photo, huh?!  And although it took hundreds of years for everything to finally be finished, I'm sure those ceilings took a good chunk of the time.

After the tour, we went outside to find a sandwich and a nice bench to sit on.  The gardens were lovely!  There were plenty of places to sit so we passed away a good hour just chatting next to the fountain.  The sky was so blue behind the château, it almost looked like a painting we were in!

We were back in Paris by 5, just enough time for Charlotte to make it to her weekly Sunday night family meeting.  I also want to wish a very special Happy Mother's Day to all of my moms and bonus moms, grandmothers, and bonus grandmothers.  You ALL are so special to me, and I wouldn't be who I am today without each of you.  I hate I am not there to spend the day with you...but know that I have been thinking about each of you all day!  Love you!! 

Just Another Day

My favorite busker is now back on the line 2.  He's been on a 3 month hiatus and he provided me with a lot of entertainment on my way home at night.  He's this guy who looks like one of my friends from Bulgaria (actually, had to do a double take) and he carries around his stereo on a cart like all the others.  He plays rap music (karaoke style of course so you can hear his words) and sometimes throws in a little beatboxing for kicks.  When he sings you can't really tell if he's singing in English or French because he sings so close to the microphone that the words are all fuzzy.  Not to mention his fuzziness is off key.  I also forget how much I enjoy my metro ride to Courcelles every evening.  There are so many cute, young, business (French) men traveling to and from the 16th arrondissement that I just hope one will step on my toe or bump into me so we can strike up a conversation.  Silly?  Yes, I think so.  

Before I explain my day, I must tell you that Chloé is somewhere in Russia for the week.  She left Tuesday, and is coming back tomorrow.  Didou has been staying with them all week and we have been taking turns taking care of the kiddos.  Now, my boring story of today!  

I arrived at the Lachaize household around 4 this afternoon, veggie shopping from Naturalia in hand.  I love bio veggie shopping....Didou was there sewing some curtains and Susanna was ironing and cleaning as normal.  Gaspard came home and asked if he could go with me to pick up Marie-Césare from school.  Of course!  It would have been more exciting for Gaspard except for when I got there Franck was already there to get her!  Quelle surprise!  So the whole family was there to pick her up and she was very excited to see us all.  We all walked to the park together holding hands as we crossed the street and had goûter.  We met up with Cléo, like always, and Franck and Gaspard went back home.  We stayed at the park until 6:15!  A pretty good afternoon at the park I'd say.  Franck and Gaspard were sitting on the couch when we walked in BOTH on separate computers.  The little geeks.  Susanna and Didou were still there as we left them.  I like it when there are a lot of people at the house.  Not for long periods of time, but for an evening its nice!  We goofed around for about an hour with the kids and Franck and Gaspard left for the cinema around 7.  Boy, did Didou have some things to say about that.  She was preparing to cook a nice dinner for everyone....so I quickly volunteered to stay around and eat whatever she was going to cook!  haha....Didou, Marie-Césare and I played together before and after dinner which was fun.  We ate the last of the Peeps that my mom sent in an Easter package, and finished the evening with an episode of "La Petite Maison sur la Prairie."  

Didou brought me a little trinket for my bijoux from Morocco.  So sweet.  She is always so sweet, and although my Mimi and Granny are not here, and NO ONE can ever fill those shoes (pretty big shoes to fill I might add)......she does a pretty good job of trying!!

A Table

My family went to Belgium the weekend after they got home from Morocco.  Okay, cool.  They went to visit friends and to shop at some antique stores and funky furniture stores that they don't apparently have in Paris.  They have been looking for a dining room table.  I can't imagine that it would be easier to buy a table in Belgium and have it sent here...versus just looking in Paris-but, what do I know?!  So, they went to Belgium for a table and what did they come back with?  

These.  

Giant flamingo birds that now stand in the corner....just something else weird for Susanna to have to dust around.  

La Défense

This weekend was spent doing a whole lotta nothing.  Which, I am okay with!  After a really good week with Marie-Césare, Ashleigh and I went into the weekend with not very many plans.  We went to see 2 exhibitions going on at Hôtel de Ville.  One on the history of the French Revolution in Paris and its effect on the city via paintings/photos/art.  The other was an exhibition of impressionism.  Since they are doing renovations on the Musée d'Orsay they took all the important works by Monet, Renoir, etc. that wouldn't fit on the walls to this exhibition.  They do tend to rotate many paintings in the city from museum to museum. So much so, that I have seen Monet's "Gare Saint-Lazare" painting in 3 different museums now.  

After a crêpe, some ridiculous crowd fighting, and laziness, we ended up at Tuileries.  The weather was so strange, it was sunny yet drizzling, so under the canopy of trees at Tuileries we sat and enjoyed a macaron framboise.  Lovely.  

I stopped in H&M on the way home, only to find a few things I don't really need (as usual).  Sunday started off at church, then Ashleigh suggested we pop up to Montmartre for a crêpe.  "Sure" I said, not really thinking about that decision.  As soon as we stepped of the metro I knew we probably would regret it.  Montmartre was COVERED OVER in millions of people.  It is normally a popular spot on a sunny day, but boy, did we forget its beginning to be tourist season!  Bleh.  Tourists.  

We waited in line for our favorite crêpe man in all of Paris, jammed our way through the crowd to the steps of the Sacré-Coeur and found a tiny spot near the trash cans to enjoy what was left of our crêpes.  No wonder people think this city is dirty when they come during the summer.  Tourists are dirty!!! They just throw trash everywhere whenever they want!  At one point during our crowd fighting I turned to Ashleigh and said, "Okay, time to be French....elbows out!" and we just shoved our way through.  Now I know why they're so good at it!  The crêpe was worth it, and a little bit of sun...but we decided to go somewhere a little less crowded and chose Parc des Buttes Chaumont.  

These are what I'm told are "Black Hero" tulips.  I had never seen them before.  

After class on Monday, Chloé called and said she was picking up Marie-Césare and taking her to the doctor to have some bloodwork/x-rays.  She has been perpetually sick, not to the point where she can't go to school, but always coughing and has a runny nose.  I feel pretty sure she is tired of being sick, so Chloé took care of that.  They don't think its anything serious, but better safe than sorry!  I had today and tomorrow off anyway, because Didou is spending the week in Paris.  Chloé is somewhere in Russia, and Franck has to work late every night and will be in Belgium Thursday and Friday night.  So, hopefully between the two of us we can pass the kids back and forth enough!  I will pick her up from school Thursday and Friday, but Didou will stay the night.  

Ashleigh skipped school today and we went out to La Défense.  We have been wanting to go, but never on a weekend because it is apparently dead with no business people there.  Which, after today, I can see why that's true. Line 1 on the métro takes you straight out at the arch, which is quite convenient for those who commute in.  La Défense is the largest purpose-built business district in Europe.  It is the farthest point on Paris' historical axis, which starts at the Louvre, continues along the Champs Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe, and finishes with the Grande Arche here.  Around 180,000 workers commute in to this area daily.  That's a lot of people.  Built mostly throughout the 60's and 70's, the 72 highrises reflect this style throughout the Esplanade.  

Looking at the Arc de Triomphe in the distance.  

The Grande Arche.  The last arch on the historical axis of Paris.  

There are strange, "modern" sculptures and feats of architecture throughout the Esplanade leading up to the Grande Arche.  Including this gargantuan thumb.  Pretty weird huh?  Fairly good example of Parisien humor.  

You can go up the arch, by elevator of course.  I'm not sure the reason, but it was closed today.  Unfortunately we didn't get yet another "best view in Paris." Thinking it would take at least a few hours to cross this off our list, we looked at our watches to find only an hour had passed.  We went back to Ashleigh's for a little while until she had to go pick up her girls.  I stopped by the Lachaize household to pick up my check (which I hate to admit that I never really earn...) and Didou was already there.  She quickly handed me a small package which of course, were a couple of things she had brought back for me from Morocco.  We chatted for awhile about my vacation and hers, and about Marie-Césare and Gaspard, and how Franck and Chloé work too much, and how she is worried....you know, the usual grandmotherly things to worry about.  She is always so sweet and thoughtful, and really wants us to come to Provence while they are there the end of May.  I have planned to go to Disneyland Paris the weekend before my birthday to celebrate so I hope she's not thinking the same weekend!  (Yes, of course...what 23 year old doesn't want to spend their birthday at Disney???!)  Hopefully Kerry is taking the train up, Charlotte will come, and maybe a few other girls we can recruit.  Excited to spend my birthday with Cendrillon and Blanche Neige.  And yes....I will be wearing a pink pointy princess hat with tulle and ribbons!!!