A sunday in San Remo

 One month ago, we spent Thomas' birthday in Italy in nearby San Remo.  Lots of skinny streets to climb and wander thru.

 Everything seems slower, and simpler, in Italy - even though this is only an hour away.

 Once you reach the top, there's a park with a wonderful view.

 Estelle tried her hand at taking photos...

 Then she decided it was more fun to model:

 Even though we had a great meal at a little restaurant we like to go to in a little courtyard next to a fountain, complete with homemade pasta, this is the moment everyone was waiting for: gelatto.

 Happy 36th Thomas.  It was a nice lazy birthday. 

Halloween Preparations!

 Halloween came early to 12 rue Delille!  Our incredibly sweet neighbor, Joanna, knocked on our door this week with some delights for the girls.

 

Some fancy-dancy cupcakes from a chi-chi store, and charming little pumpkins full of Halloween-themed goodies.  I can't imagine where in France she found them.

  
Today the girls are enjoying the start of vacation by trying on some costumes. Witchy-poo and Scoobie-doo.

The two-week Toussaint (All Saint's Day) break officially began yesterday and so we are getting ready for the girls to get on a plane Tuesday (alone! Unaccompanied Minors!) 

August in Calvinet - The end of summer

August 15th - we headed to Cavinet!

Not only were Papy & Manou (Guy & Andrée) there, but we also had the pleasure of DéDé and Yvettte.

We spent a lot of time in the town pool, which is a 5 minute walk down the hill past the cemetery.

Thomas is truly reliving his childhood here.  It's great for him.

The pool has a ping pong table and a volleyball net.

Back up at the house, the girls always enjoyed visits from their 2nd cousins who live down the road.  This is Léna with Axel and Hugo, Thomas' cousin Francoise's boys.

Here's Estelle with Annaelle, older sister to those red-headed boys.

She's one year older than Estelle.

On our first Saturday there, Guy hosted a big powerpoint show about the genealogical history of Andrée's family.  It was a BIG event.

The cinema was in the "old house", where we used to stay before the addition on the "barn".

Francoise's younger brother Daniel and his wife Jacqueline.

Andrée, family matriarch!

Here's most everyone for the "cousinade" = French word for family reunion.

This was the old "salon" in the old house.  Then we used to use it as a bedroom.  This day, cinema.

Meanwhile, "light" refreshments were served after the showing!

Sadly, I was so busy chasing kids and refilling cantaloupe bowls that I didn't take any more photos - but people stayed until well after dark out on the terrace.  It was a wonderful event for the whole family!

Another day, off we went to Figeac and took Anaelle to this great outdoor pool park!

Then we had a visit from Thomas' second cousin on the Ouillade side, Aurelie, and her pretty new little baby, Mayline. 

Aurelie's mom is Sylvette, Thomas' godmother and Guy's first cousin.

We had a great time in Calvinet!