Life lately

So, I have quickly gotten used to both kids being in school. I can't lie, it is quite amazing! Both kids had a bit of a difficult transition for about a week. They both went through a week of crying when I dropped them off and both had a day or two where the teacher needed to peel them off of me. But, we turned the corner and things did get better. They each got some "incentives" (to tell the truth, I bribed them for the week) and now both kids are running into their classes and love school.

Ava is busy! She gets extra French help on Mondays and Tuesdays after school until 5:15. She also started tennis and loves it. Everyday she asks if it is Wednesday so she can go to tennis. She also made the decision that ballet was not her thing, even though all of her friends are doing it. Smart girl! Instead, she has been asking to start the violin, so we decided she can start with me. Neither of us has ended in tears yet, so I call it a success so far, although as soon as we move home, I am going to pass her off to another teacher.

Beckett loves school! At the beginning, he would find Ava out at recess and tag along with her and her friends. He is now starting to make new friends in his class - says my spy, Ava. In the morning, he runs into his class and gives all of his new little girlfriends hugs. 

This is how I found them one day after school.

I had high hopes of the house always being clean, laundry done and gourmet meals for dinner every night as soon as both kids went to school, but no such luck. I did enroll in 3 online classes this semester and I am still taking French lessons, although my French is still quite embarrassing. The classes are a little more work than I thought they were going to be, but they are good. I am glad that I have found something to do with my time while the kids are gone. I even put together a little power point this week that Ken only chuckled at instead of totally laughing at it. When he looked at it, he asked "how much do you want me to fix this?". One of Kens talents is he can put together amazing power points. His look even more amazing when mine is next to his. On a side note, Ken loves power point so much, he proposed with one!

Ken is working a ton, like usual. The kids question at night has moved from "Is Daddy going to be home for dinner?" to "Is Daddy going to be home before we go to bed?". It makes for very long days for Ken, but it is our life right now.

Next up on my list for today is to figure out what to do with the chunk of pumpkin I bought at the market this morning. No canned pumpkin in France, you have to make it yourself! Ken, this is your warning to eat a big lunch at work today - dinner may be a fail!

It is here!

This is the day that I have been waiting for since we arrived in France almost 2 years ago, the day when I could drop off both kids at school together. 

They are both pretty excited to be in the same school. 

Beckett walked right in and sat down to start playing, gave me a kiss and said goodbye. When did he get so old? It is hard to believe that he was only 17 months when we moved here and now he is going to school with Ava. This is my year to have a little freedom now that both kids are in school, I don't work, and life has gotten a whole lot easier than when we first moved here. 

Today (and probably next week too), I will feel a little sad and then I am sure I will get used to it.

First thing on the agenda with no kids home is a cup of coffee (in silence!) and French school forms.  

Long overdue

It feels like the last couple of weeks have flown by. We have been super busy finishing up the school year and now we are looking forward to flying home. The kids and I leave in a day and a half and Ken leaves 10 days later.  I am so excited to go home! I cannot believe that it has been a year since we have been in Michigan.

Before the school year ended, Ava had her end of the year ballet "spectacular". Ken and I didn't know ahead of time, but each of the girls had a "solo" during the show. It definitely was not the most graceful ballet dancing, but it was fun to see each of the girls have their own time to shine.

Ava with her biggest fan!

Astrid, Ava, Ella and Caroline

Beckett also finished with creche for the year. He starts the "petit" section at Ava's school next year and will go 2 mornings and 2 full days (8:30-4:30). I can't believe I will have both kids in school next year!

Millie and Beckett on their last day.

July 5 was the last day of school for Ava. She had a great year. Her favorite part of school was her "Fun French" class where her teacher keeps non-native French speakers an extra hour after school for specialized instruction in French. Her other favorite part was her English class that she has for an hour every day. 

Last day of school picture. 

We have also had a big birthday in our house this month! It is hard to believe that Ava is actually 5 years old. She amazes me with her ability to adapt into different environments, her questions that she comes up with and her thoughtfulness. I can't wait to see how she grows and changes the next year. 

She is a bit spoiled because she gets to celebrate her birthday in France with her friends and then later in the month with the Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and cousins back at home. A couple of weekends ago, we celebrated hers and Carolines birthdays at the park. 

Cute birthday girls.

All of the Moms.

Beckett parked himself at the snack table.

The princess and butterfly.

Both girls got a bit embarrassed when they were singing Happy Birthday.

Taking a swing at the pinata.

Cute little kids.

Millie, Caroline, Beckett and Ava

Ava on her real birthday. We dropped Beckett off to play with Ella and Ryan and we were able to spend the afternoon downtown. I don't know which one of us gets more excited for afternoons downtown Strasbourg, just walking around, getting ice cream, shopping and going on the carousel.

Girls weekend in London

The weekend after we went to Köln, I went to London with some girlfriends. After being in France for almost a whole year, stepping off the train in London was like a breath of fresh air - I could read signs and not have to translate, listen to other peoples conversations, ask someone a question and not think of how to say it in French - it was great! One of our friends that lived in Strasbourg last year, moved to the UK last summer, so it was a fun weekend to connect with her again. We had so much fun walking around, going out to eat, sightseeing and shopping.

My first purchase was an umbrella. Thankfully it only rained on Friday and the next 2 days were sunny.

We made the trip to the Boden store, however it was pretty disappointing. 

Walking along the Portobello Road Market - so many fun stores! Had to make a stop in the hummingbird bakery. I had the best cupcake ever!

Notting Hill is adorable!

Taking a black cab to see Jersey Boys.

On the last morning, we took the signature double decker tour of London. It sounds a bit cheesy, but it was the perfect way to see the city knowing I could sit there for an hour with no children, not have to walk anywhere, but still check the boxes of major sights to see.

After the bus, we had to make a stop for Fish and Chips, a bookstore to buy books in English for the kids, and then back to the train station to get the train back to Strasbourg. It was such a great weekend!

Köln, Germany

France has 4 bank holidays in May, so it ended up being a big travel month for us. I had this trip booked months ago when I was trying to be organized and write all of the holidays in the calendar. When we actually got to the weekend, I think we would have all rather spent the weekend at home, but we went anyways.

One thing Germany is great for is kid friendly restaurants. Outside beer gardens are fantastic for taking kids! There are things for them to look at, kid-friendly food, they can be kids and no one cares. France, on the other hand, is very difficult to take kids out to dinner. The restaurants don't open until 8 at night, French meals last at least 3 hours and there are hardly ever any highchairs or changing tables. So, anytime we can sit outside in a beer garden in Germany and enjoy a meal out with our kids, it is a great time!

The cathedral in Köln was amazing. I think it jumped to the top of the list of European cathedrals we have visited. It was hit by 15 bombs in WWII, but stayed standing.  

140 foot tall ceilings inside.

We don't do a whole lot of museums on vacations. It is a struggle to take the kids into them and to be honest, Ken and I aren't all that into them either! We did decide to make a stop at the Chocolate Museum on Köln. I could get into that!

We all made our own chocolate bars. Not surprising that mine is the first one gone!

Loving their chocolate bars!

Ava was having a "hard time" when we visited the cathedral in the morning and she refused any pictures. In the afternoon, she was in a much better mood!

A fun little spot along the river.

Such a tired boy!

She loves German sausage!

Our little French Girl

For the kids in Ava's class, there are 2 major milestones that they look forward to. The first is turning 5 and the other is learning to ride a two wheeler. Ava can list the kids that are 5 and the ones that can and can't ride a two wheeler.  So much of the culture and our daily life centers around riding bikes that kids here learn to ride a two wheeler earlier than back at home. The plus side for me is that if she rides a bike, I can take off the heavy trailer. Pulling around at least 70 lbs of kids is heavy! 

So, today she rode her bike to school for the first time. I couldn't be more happy to get rid of the trailer and she couldn't be more proud!

More visitors!!

A couple of weeks ago, my Mom and Ron came to visit us in France. I don't know who was more excited, Ava, Grandma or me. We had such a great week together! Since we have lived here for a year and a half now, I have talked to my Mom at least once a week about what is going on in our lives, places we go, friends we have met. It was so much fun to actually show them the things that we have talked about.

We do a kid swap with 2 other families here. On Saturday was a "Parents day out" for us, so we got to take Mom and Ron wine tasting. A day on the wine road is always a good day!

On Sunday, we went downtown Strasbourg and took the boat tour around the city like true tourists!

At our favorite dinner spot in Strasbourg!

On Monday, we decided to make the trip to the Alps in Switzerland for the day. My Mom has always talked about seeing the Alps, so we decided to make the trip. It was only a 3 hour ride each way (well, it was supposed to be until someone had issues with the Garmin - not mentioning any names!). It was a bit cloudy, but still beautiful.

Beckett loved having a snowball fight with Ron.

We almost lost Ron on the last hike up the mountain, but he made it!

Beckett enjoyed all of the attention while his sister was at school all day.

Back at the bottom where we started.

On Wednesday, we all took the train to Paris for 4 days. Ava had been dreaming of going to the Eiffel Tower with Grandma for months! There would be no way Ken and I could manage Paris with the 2 kids, so we were very happy to have 2 Grandparents to help out!

First lunch in Paris!

On the locks bridge.

We can find a place for timeouts anywhere! This one was across from Notre Dame.

Ron and Ava at Place St. Michel

Relaxing in the apartment.

Finally made it to the Eiffel Tower!

I love our little family!

I love this picture! They were both so excited!

At Arc de Triomphe.

Ken and I climbed the 284 stairs to get to the top. The view was amazing!

Pretty spectacular at night.

A great restaurant!

Ava loved her fancy lunch!

Grandma loved her chocolate soufflé and wine!

Beckett loved the chocolate soufflé too!

At the Luxembourg Gardens.

Daddy rented them boats!

Beckett was a bit dangerous running around with a wooden pole for 30 minutes!

 

On the last day, we bribed Ava with a fancy dessert so we could sit at a cafe instead of walking to the park. She was pretty happy with the deal she made.

Sharing just a little bit!

It was very sad to see them leave, but we only have a couple of more months before we fly home for the summer. We are so happy that Grandma and Ron came to visit us - we are hoping to even talk them into coming back next year!