Papi & Manou are here

But first....
France lost in the World Cup Rugby final by JUST ONE POINT. it was a nailbiter!


It's getting a little Halloweeny around here. As much as you can when you live in France. Sniff sniff.
Meanwhile - Papi & Manou arrived Sunday evening and brought with them fruits and walnuts and chestnuts from Calvinet. Yeah!

And books:
It's tiring to read books!
But so fun to have babysitters - this means Mom & Dad get to go out! with philippe & Pierre...

This week in photos

Who remembers that we went to Morocco in 2007? T's coworker Mikael was on that trip with us. His last day at the company was today as he is re-locating with his fiancée. Tuesday we had him over for dinner:
Here is where he had to read Estelle a story about a baker and how he makes bread - since Mickael's dad is a baker himself.
Below, here is how I found Estelle sleeping: behind Winnie is Mom's monkey sock doll, Martha's Holly Hobbie, and the doll from the Island of Misfit Toys.
Wednesday: English friends Janette visits with her daughter Eleanor and her friend Tash (Natasha). These 2 big girls (14 years old) were a LOT of fun for my 2 little girls.

My favorite part of the week: Fridays Lena goes to a municipal day-play center for 3 hours and then I pick her up, take her home for lunch and nap and then we have a little time together before fetching Estelle.
Today after her nap, she came out on the couch and listened to music like this for 30 minutes.
Also Wednesday: the piano tuner came. Fascinating!

It's beginning to sound a lot like....

Tea for Two

This weekend:
Tea time with Daddy:
Making a drawing:

Practicing letters:

Saturday evening: we had a dinner party with Cathy & her husband Francois and little Marie & her mommy Sylvie (no photos of the adults!). Marie is a year older than Estelle and they are in different schools now so we need to make an effort to have them play:

I made cheesecake. Again.
Today: Housewarming for Thomas' Australian co-worker Joanna where she is subletting in nearby St. Laurent du Var. Lots of kids - lots of fun!

The little girl next to me in the photo above is the daughter of a woman who was my student - 8 years ago! Yowza.Here's Joanna, ever the cool and relaxed hostess (she's a yoga instructor as well as doing computers).
Hmm. Holding court?
Friday afternoon, me and Lena:


What else happened: Hockey practice. Sewing (still). Swimming lessons. France advancing to the Final for the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand after a somewhat pathetic win over Wales Saturday morning. Champagne on Saturday and Sunday = not so bad.

Petit Papa Noel

A little Wednesday fun

So much to do, so little time.
Lefty Lena....
Playdough brought from the USA, made by Aunt Lisa.

A little piano moment: She has had 4 lessons.

Saturday

Today Estelle got a belated bday gift using funding from Papy & Manou.
This wooden castle is from a UK brand which we have admired in a nearby toy boutique. The original price was 250 USD. Don't worry! We got a BIG discount! But really, come on, for a castle? puh-lease.
Today Thomas was up at 7 a.m. to watch France in the Rugby World Cup. So bizarre to have him up and about at 7 on a Saturday. Sadly France lost to Tonga. Here's Daddy lamenting:
A few videos from today - one is Estelle's diatribe comparing how to play rugby vs. playing at recess, all whilst attacking a pain au chocolat quite early this a.m.  2nd:  attempting to film Estelle discovering her castle gift.  It's pretty bad so only watch if you have nothing to do whilst filing your nails.