February 2011

The highlight of February was celebrating Rachael's 4th birthday.  Her birthday was complete with dinner with friends and a princess birthday cake.  We also took the opportunity to take a day trip out to Chartres to see their cathedral.  And of course the month was full of the random happenings that always occur in our household.

As requested, a pink princess cake for Rachael's 4th Birthday

Birthday Dinner with the Hall Family.

Becca gave Rachael her old roller skates as a birthday present.

Someone snuck back to the table to snack on
peas and carrots.  You won't hear me
complaining!

Cartres Cathedral

The Princess

The Pirate

The Princess Pirate

I think she's trying to tell me something.

Becca came up to me and said "mom, we're twins.  You should take our picture."

Such a good big sister!

Yes, she's wearing a cereal box on her head.
No, I don't know why.

My 3 dancing princesses.

I think I see where they get it from.

January 2011

Here are some pictures of the happenings at our place during January; normal life, school fiend trips, and Chris's birthday. 

Rachael found the lotion.  That's all there is to say about that.

Enjoying a movie night.

Every Wednesday, Chris and Becca have a cultural class offered through the school.  They visit different sites around Paris, or have people come to the school to teach them about France.  I went as a parent chaperon one day to a Museum full of items collected from old time traveling fairs.

Chris had a friend over from school for a video game night.  His friend is from Brazil and speaks Portuguese, a little English and is learning French.  While he was in our home we spoke English to me, French with Chris and Portuguese with Mike.  It was quite an international evening in our home.

For Chris's 9th birthday he requested a castle cake.  We had recently visited the Chateau de Vincennes.  So I did my best .

Chris approved.

Our home in Paris

I'm finally getting around to posting some pictures of our Paris apartment.  We live near a wonderful park called Parc Monceau, which we get to walk through every morning as we take the kids to school.  Our street is full of little shops and restaurants.  Right outside our front door is a fruit and vegetable stand that we visit several times a week.  We are truly lucky to have this apartment, it is just perfect for what we need.  Granted I'm not always a fan of living on the 5th floor but I have a great view from the living room windows.

Chris and Melissa share a room.  This is Chris's side.

Melissa's corner of the room.

Becca and Rachael's room.  There is not a full closet in this
room so we got a hanging rack to put all their dresses.

The bathroom/laundry room.

The kitchen.  It's actually pretty big for a Paris apartment.
Though I do miss counter space.

Dining room

The living room

New Years Ski Trip

 We had the great opportunity to take the kids on a week long ski trip over New Years in the French Alps.  We stayed at an all inclusive hotel that offered half day ski lessons to the kids each day.  It was amazing to see them learning how to ski.  By the end of the week Chris was going up the chair lifts with us and going down the slopes like a pro.  These pictures are totally out of order, but at least I finally got them on the blog.

At the end of their lessons the hotel staff would bring all the kids back to the hotel so we could pick them up for lunch.
I love this picture since it looks like Chris is leading this whole ski team back from the slopes.

Need I say more?

Melissa enjoyed experiencing snow for the first time.

Melissa's not sure about this whole sled thing.

Mike and Kristee hitting the slopes.

Chris heading out to ski for the afternoon.

Rachael loved skiing.  She was so brave to put on the skis and never had a problem with the balance.  However she wasn't so good with steering or braking.  One of us would run or ski along side her to keep her going in the right direction.

Becca getting ready for her morning lesson.

The skis were just as big as Rachael!

Heading up the mountain.

The snowboard champ.

Family picture at the top of the mountain.

The hotel offered day care, so we took advantage of that one morning for Melissa so we could all head out together.

Sipping hot chocolate and enjoying the view.

We took the gondola up to the top of the mountain.
No, we did not ski down!

There was a snow cave carved out at the top of the mountain.  Inside were snow carvings of different people.

A day on the slopes can be quite exhausting.

This guy was on the hotel staff that helped the kids go to and from lessons each day and  put on a children's program at the hotel.  Rachael just loved him.

View from the top of the mountain.

Chris cruising down the slopes.

Rachael practicing her form.

At the end of the week they had an award ceremony and variety show for the kids.  They gave out awards to the babies in the baby club.  Melissa got the "So Cute" award.
I loved the certificate was entirely in French except for were it said "So Cute".

The only way to pass the time when your on the train.