The Birthday Circuit

Sunday we drove 2 hours into the Var, the next "department" over going westerly from our department, the "Alpes-Maritimes". Very much in France is referred to by "Departments". It's sort of like states in the USA. I stress the "sort of".
Anyways, off we went, hot as hell, on the road at 9 a.m. to avoid the worst of the heat in our car with no A/C (soon to be changed).
Who remembers little Alessandro, son of Isabelle (French/German) and Luca (Italian). They used to live here in Nice and have lived in the Var for less than a year - now they are moving again to Evian (yes, like the water). So a little reunion to say goodbye and to celebrate Alessandro's 2nd birthday. Isabelle is pregnant again and due mid-September.
This event was also a goodbye for Sylvianne and Philippe, Pauline's parents, who are moving to Lyon. Sylvianne also announced that she too is expecting again. A day of lots of celebrations!
Estelle is sad to see all her little friends going away. But who cares when there is chocolate cake and a pool and Elliot is still around thank goodness.
Here are Estelle and Pauline, dancing "the Capucine". You can tell who thinks she is in charge of the situation.

Then the girls decided to try to get into a toy box together.


The dwindling group:
Pauline, Elliot, Alessandro, Estelle. We were missing Maxence in Paris and the Nicoises Lucie and Thomas who couldn't make it.


Blowing out the candles. Who cares about the candles, look at those desserts!

Pool fun! The other little boy, Philippo, is Alessandro's cousin from Italy. Their fathers are identical twins.


Arriving back into Nice at 7 p.m. we decided to stop at the first spot on the beach we came to and jump in. Estelle had slept the entire way in the car so we knew it wouldn't be an early night - so why not? Meanwhile, it was the IronMan triathalon competition going on in Nice. Here were all these sad characters still plodding along at 8 p.m. after biking and swimming. On such a hot hot day. Alarming.

Cooling off in Nice.

Estelliot goes to the Beach

Here are a few shots of yesterday morning at the beach. We were also joined by my friend Helen. She got a does of the reality of having a toddler on the beach. i.e. there is no down time. I was thrilled to have a willing pair of hands to help.



It looks more dangerous than it really was. According to Elliot.

Back at the ranch, Estelle tried her best to look like her Madeline doll. She really wants a scar on her belly.

And a little video we call "Shake it like a Polaroid". This was also an attempt at self-filming.

L'Appel de Gaulle

When I think of June 18th, I usually always remember it is Paul McCartney's birthday.
But since I've moved to France, the day has another significance.

June 18th is known by the French as "L'Appel de de Gaulle". This is in reference to an extremely historic moment in French "modern" history - June 18, 1940. De Gaulle, having opposed the armistice that Petain had signed to make peace with the Germans after France fell to the Nazis, fled to London. He was the leader of the French Free Forces.
On this day in 1940 he gave a speech on the BBC radio, which agreed to let him talk. The speech is what began the French Resistance, something more legendary here than can possibly be appreciated through any films you might see about it. The speech rallied the French forces. Interestingly, apparently not many people heard the original broadcast, and he re-did his speech a few days later. But today was the original day.
It's pretty amazing to think about. Just like how I always think: "What if Wolfe hadn't beat Montcalm in Quebec City in the 1750's?" Canada would still be La Nouvelle France. Having seen the bombed out villages and towns in the northern part of the country that took the brunt of the German invasion, it is striking. Hard to imagine what it was like for the people living there during those times.
Below is some kind of flyer or poster that he had distributed in England, trying to get the Resistance movement started and encourage French soldiers and engineers, etc to go back and fight.

For you history buffs, here's the transcript of the speech, which really is quite short. Frankly I think it is pretty impressive stuff.

On June 18, 1940, at 19:00, de Gaulle's voice was broadcast nationwide, saying:

"The leaders who, for many years, were at the head of French armies, have formed a government. This government, alleging our armies to be undone, agreed with the enemy to stop fighting. Of course, we were subdued by the mechanical, ground and air forces of the enemy. Infinitely more than their number, it was the tanks, the airplanes, the tactics of the Germans which made us retreat. It was the tanks, the airplanes, the tactics of the Germans that surprised our leaders to the point to bring them there where they are today.

"But has the last word been said? Must hope disappear? Is defeat final? No!
"Believe me, I speak to you with full knowledge of the facts and tell you that nothing is lost for France. The same means that overcame us can bring us to a day of victory. For France is not alone! She is not alone! She is not alone! She has a vast Empire behind her. She can align with the British Empire that holds the sea and continues the fight. She can, like England, use without limit the immense industry of the United States.
"This war is not limited to the unfortunate territory of our country. This war is not finished by the Battle of France. This war is a worldwide war. All the faults, all the delays, all the suffering, do not prevent there to be, in the world, all the necessary means to one day crush our enemies. Vanquished today by mechanical force, we will be able to overcome in the future by a superior mechanical force.
"The destiny of the world is here. I, General de Gaulle, currently in London, invite the officers and the French soldiers who are located in British territory or who would come there, with their weapons or without their weapons, I invite the engineers and the special workers of armament industries who are located in British territory or who would come there, to put themselves in contact with me.
"Whatever happens, the flame of the French resistance must not be extinguished and will not be extinguished."

Father's Day, Elliot's Birthday, the Euro Cup

Sunday was also Father's Day here in France - just like in the US.

Thomas got some new polo shirts for work and some lovely hand-made crafts from Estelle from her nanny and daycare. I can't even show you a picture of the handprint in hardened playdough painted blue because now it is at Thomas' office!

He took Estelle to the beach for some playtime in the morning.

Then I baked yet another cake. After lunch and naps we headed to Cimiez - a neighborhood of Nice that is goes up and away from the sea. Home to Queen Victoria's unspeakably huge mansion, the national Matisse Museum, Roman arena ruins where the summer Jazz festival is held, and a big park full of olive trees. This olive grove played home to Elliot's belated birthday party. Unfortunately his Dad is still somewhere off the coast of Angola. But we had a fantastic time with lots of other
toddlers - most notably Pauline and her parents.
Hmm, can you guess which cake is mine?

Elliot enjoyed surveying the cakes. He just picked off a lot of sprinkles.

Pied Piper Philippe, Pauline's Papa, rounding up the troops who kept trying to make a break for the nearby merry-go-round.

Sylvianne, Pauline's mom, had the right ticket with the bubbles.

Here's a little bubble video:


Meanwhile, disaster is probably about to strike for the Hexagon (this is how people here refer to France). Tonight France plays Italy in the last match in their group of the first round of the Euro Cup (did you catch that?). These two teams, who met just 2 years ago in the final match of the World Cup, are now scrapping it out in what I can only term a back-alley do-or-die encounter just to stay alive for the next round. Both teams, having been crushed by Holland (much to the glee of Elliot's mother) are in a position to be elimated if Holland loses to Romania (unlikely). So assuming Holland beats Romania (for those interested, Oana says she could care less, the players make too much money and they don't give any to her, so she doesn't care one bit), then who wins (France or Italy) advances to the next round and plays Spain on Sunday. They go from being the best in the world 2 years ago to being like 2 guys playing craps in Guys and Dolls. It is WILD. As Thomas likes to say 'Anything can happen".

Friday the 13th

38 years ago this past Friday my poor mother give one last push and said "No more!"
It was a Saturday however, at the time.

But the years when my birthday was on a Friday are memorable.

1980 - I hit dougle digits. It was also my last day of school in 4th grade and I was moving up to middle school. Anthony Kinney was mean to me so I spit in his face, thinking I would get away with it cause it was my birthday. No dice - hauled into Mr. Lumbra's imposing principal's office. My twin brothers graduated that night from MMU, our high school in Jericho, VT.

1986 - Also the last day of exams of my sophomore year. I went to Montreal with my friends who were twins, Sue and Heather, to see Julian Lennon in concert. It was the coolest thing I had ever done. When I got back at 3 a.m. there was VW bug sitting in front of our barn. I knew my Dad had bought it for me for my 16th bday. I barely slept all night with excitement. Turns out it was my brother's girlfriend's. Ouch.

Anyways, you get the picture. Always a great birthday when it was Friday the 13th.

So Friday 2008, here is what I did:
In fact on Thursday night our neighbors came up for an impromptu soiree - they are both professional musicians with the Monaco Orchestra. He oboe, her flute. They are young - like 25, and already with such an amazing career. They leave tomorrow for a 17 day tour of Japan with the Orchestra. We are watching their cat. Everyone knows how I dislike felines so I'll try not to kill it.

On the morning of my bday I began the day with Thomas presenting my favorite English tea which I had run out of, cards from my mom and sisters and Thomas' parents. Sister Joan sent a recording that's a cult favorite in my family, finally available on CD.

Estelle went to daycare for a few hours and I biked along the sea into the old town for coffee in the sun with my friend Philippe.

After lunch and naps (and teaching a telephone lesson in English) I baked my own cupcakes:

In the late afternoon, off to the beach with Elliot. This was essentially Estelle's first time in the actual sea itself. It was breezy so there were some waves, and lots of squealing by both her and Elliot. They loved it.

Before anyone gets concerned, that's a can of Diet Coke in the photo.

The showers were a big hit.

Lots of places to explore.

At 6:30 we headed home to clean up and then Oana arrived to babysit - also bearing gifts from an expensive shop I never even have set foot in. Maybe we pay her too much? ha ha A lovely necklace.

Off we went, me wearing a new top from Thomas, to our old neighborhood. On our way to the TEX-MEX restaurant (the only one in Nice), we stopped at the English movie theater to get our tickets for Sex and the City in advance. As it was also the same night that France was playing Holland in the Euro Cup, the lady in the booth was pretty impressed that my French husband was coming to the movies with me. What a sacrifice! I said "Well, it's just because it's my birthday and we have a toddler and we don't get out much and I REALLY am dying to see this movie!" FREE TICKET! Couldn't believe it, the nice lady said to me "I'm giving you this ticket for free. Happy Birthday." This is just about the most shocking act of kindness by any French stranger in Nice I have ever encountered. As the tickets cost 8.50 euros = almost 13 dollars, it was a nice gesture! I thought of my 70+ aunt Yolande, another sister of my mom's who has a little job working in the movie theater in St. Johnsbury, VT selling tickets. I think it was like she had tele-transported herself into this lady.
Our meal was fine, and the film just heaven. When you are a fan, you don't care - you just want more of the story!
Friday the 13th - may not have been lucky for France (4-1 for Holland - yowza), but for me it sure was! Thanks for everyone for so many nice, great, and fun emails, texts, phone calls and messages!

LaMorrisse

Here is a video from a month ago that I forgot about. It's sideways - sorry!
But for those fans of Albert Lamorrisse's 60's classic film The Red Balloon, it will strike a chord.


And another old video of calestenics....

Coupe d'Europe

Remember 2 years ago, when the Coupe de Monde happenned? Well, here we go again, except this is just Europe = hence, the Coupe d'Europe.
France played their first match tonight at 6 pm against Romania (go Oana!) and the city of Nice was abuzz. I had totally forgotten and dashed out to the corner store on my way to pick up Estelle and the place was bedlam. People were chanting in the French equivalent of 7-Eleven. It was mania. I was reminded of 2 years ago with the same situation except it was hot as hell and I was 8 months pregnant, fearing for my safety at each kickoff.
Well anyways, now it's over and it was a "match nul", which means a tie. Which is BAD for France. And my husband. And all the hollering men that I could hear thru the open windows.
Yikes. However I'm sure Oana is pleased. And the ballroom dancer guy I met this weekend (see previous posts).
Thomas, who never seems to make it home in time for baths or preparing Estelle's dinner MIRACULOUSLY was in the apartment at 6 pm sharp. Hmmmmmm, qu'est-ce que t'en y pense?

Here is a video of Thomas watching the first half of the game and Estelle not letting him enjoy it.

"Uncle" Doug's Birthday

It's been a busy weekend. Most notably, our friend Doug's birthday bash at he and Craig's villa in nearby Mougins. Off we went, Graco-in-hand. Lots of beautiful food and people in a beautiful setting. Thomas was the lone French guy there until one
other couple showed up. Estelle was the only kid! And most everyone was on the other team. So many cute guys! What's a girl to do, but protect her husband, of course. ha ha
The birthday boy with Craig

A few shots around the property



No one was ever inside the entire night - except Estelle to sleep. This villa is set up to live outdoors. Outdoor bathroom, jacuzzi, kitchen, dishwasher, pizza oven, BBQ, stove and oven, sink, wine cave, fridge, bar, ice machine, heated pool, fountain and goldfish, surround wireless speakers.
You want it, they got it.
Estelle, however, wanted to explore inside a little bit.



Dinnertime. "Quelle bonheur", as the French would say. This is like just sheer bliss for me as it is everything from home I miss and I know Craig will always feed me. Potatoe salad, ribs, kabobs, pasta salad, baked beans, grilled salmon, marinated and grilled peppers. HEAVEN. I went back twice. And then couldn't eat my own dessert - pumpkin nut cake. No matter, able to cram in someone else's fresh fruit meringue.


Thomas and Bruce, a friend of theirs from Monaco. I love Bruce because he is like 4 heads taller than me. And everytime I see him he says "Julie, tell me some hilarious story". He doesn't drink so I know he's sincere when he says he finds me entertaining. And his boyfriend used to be a ballroom dance instructor in Romania. We love him. I think when the evening went into full-tilt disco pool-side madness he thought we could have all used a few lessons.


The boys were OUT last night!

This is Craig and Doug's really good friend Richard from London. He is a TV star in England. He is so normal and nice I can barely believe it, but everyone knows who he is and years ago when my old roommate Melissa from England met him she almost fainted so I guess it is true. But he is such a nice guy. Every time we see them there, he says "I'm only eating a 2nd piece of your dessert because it is so AWFUL and we don't want you to feel bad, lovey". Such British humor, gotta love it.

And this guy was almost a double of a young Pierce Brosnan. He told me someone told him that 6 years ago, and that I was "a darling for being so generous". We then had a long heart-to-heart about Remington Steele together over a cosmopolitan. He was German. It was like a German Pierce Brosnan. It was thrilling.


This is Richard's partner Robert with Doug's niece Rebecca visiting from America. She was a lovely young lady and told great stories about living in Tennessee. I told her I almost married a guy born in Tennessee. This prompted lots of hilarious North-South stories.

Craig checking the champagne. It was never out.

We crawled home sometime after midnight and were blessed with Estelle being no problem to wake up and transport and going right back to sleep once she hit her own bed, and sleeping until 10! Now THAT'S my kind of toddler!

Today, after a VERY slow morning and pancakes by Papa and the parc and a long nap for everyone in the house, off we went, up to the Chateau hill to play with Elliot who just turned 2 yesterday. Poor Elliot began his birthday by cracking open the skin above his eyebrow while jumping on a bed visiting his grandparents. The doctor glued him back together (literally). He had a bit of a pirate look today but otherwise, same old physical marvel. He is still awaiting the return of his Dad marooned off the coast of Angola. I'd say more like his MOM is awaiting the return of his Dad!



In the end, we love a night out, but good thing we only do it every 6 months. Too tuckered out from all that disco-ing!

"Estelliot" and the Balloon

Another film in the "documentary short" category from Sunday afternoon.....