South of France

I love the beach - the sun, sand, heat - all of it! I could sit at the beach day after day and be perfectly happy. Ken hates the beach. Really, he hates sand. He hates it so much, he gets annoyed when our kids play in the sandbox at the park. So, when I planned a trip to the South of France for Ava's spring break, Ken was less than thrilled. I thought he was crazy - who doesn't want to go on vacation to the South of France! So, while Ken was in Milan for work the week before, I decided to recruit someone else to come with. I hate to say that we kicked him out of our vacation, but we kind of did. Our friend Meghan decided that she would rather be at the beach with her kids than at home, so train tickets were bought. Meghan decided to come down for the first 4 days with her kids and then Ken would take the train down for the last 3 days. Perfect solution! Ken was able to have some "Ken time" and work for a couple of days while the kids and I enjoyed the sand at the beach!

For four days, we let the kids swim at the indoor toddler pool where we were staying in the morning, have lunch, kids napped while the Moms laid out, go to the beach after naps, eat dinner at the beach, put the kids to bed, Moms drink wine out on the deck. It was perfect!

Waiting somewhat patiently for their lunch.

Temps were in the mid 60's, but they didn't care.

Absolutely beautiful.

My beach girl! She can play in the sand for hours.

Making mud pies.

A little tv time before bed.

Picnic dinner at the beach. 

So busy...

Love these 2!

Sweet boy.

Michigan girls - Ava and Ella.

The boys having fun.

Little quiet time with the ipad. 

On Wednesday night, Meghan, Ella and Ryan took the train back to Strasbourg and on Thursday morning, the kids and I picked Ken up from the train station. The first day with Ken, we drove to Cassis. It was beautiful.

Waiting for the boat ride.

We took a boat ride to see the Calanques. 

On Friday, we drove to Monaco. Monaco is crazy. They were getting ready for the Monte Carlo Grand Prix, there was a famous tennis tournament going on, there were fancy cars and paparazzi everywhere!

Outside the Palais du Prince.

Looking out onto the Monte Carlo Harbor

At the Musee Oceanographique de Monaco.

At the top of the museum. 

We ate lunch right next to the park on the top of the museum. 

Right outside the casino.

The casino.

Kens favorite car.

Beckett was too busy looking at cars to smile for a picture.

Beckett thinks that his sister is funny.

On the last day, we drove to Nice. 

This picture is funny in so many ways.

The kids have obviously gotten sick of taking pictures.

Outside the candy shop dating back from 1820. 

Fenocchio ice cream. Ava picked "Rose and Violet". Tasted like flowers.

Walking on the "Promenade des Anglais"

Beckett loved watching the planes.

The second week of Ava's spring break was not quite as exciting as the first. We had one goal last week, and that was to start the potty training process with Beckett. We made it through, but not without a few tears from almost everyone involved!

 Passing the time while we were housebound...

Ava decided she wanted to marry Beckett one day. Ava's vows "I love you. I can't wait to cook with you and learn with you". Beckett's vows "ROARRRR!". Maybe my best part of the week!

Potty training was a team effort this week....

Easter 2013

Both Good Friday and the Monday after Easter are bank holidays in France, so all 4 of us have been home for 4 days. Last week Beckett had a fever for 4 days and Ava started to get it on Sunday. So, this was the perfect weekend to stay home and relax.

On Easter, we had brunch with a bunch of friends. I pity anyone in their apartment building when we all get together, because these kids are loud! But, for the most part, they all get along and all we hear is happy yelling. 

In the afternoon, we went to another friends farm in one of the villages for an Easter egg hunt. The kids had so much fun!

Beckett and Inez scootering in the courtyard. 

Easter baskets are very difficult to find here, so our kids use shopping bags!

It looks like he is taking from Inez's bag, but he was actually giving her one. 

Round 2 - making sure they didn't forget any.

Love these two!!

Today, Ava had a fever for most of the day. After dinner (and another dose of ibuprofen), she was feeling a bit better. She has been really wanting to learn to ride a two-wheeler, so she begged Ken to take her out. Her incentive is that as soon as she can ride the two-wheeler, she can ride her bike to school. She can actually list off the kids in her class that can ride a two-wheeler, so in 4 year old French school, it is a big deal. After about 5 minutes, she figured it out. I am also very happy as now I only have to haul 1 kid in the bike trailer instead of 2!