The Fake Birthday

 It all begin last spring.  Estelle started to complain.

 "I never have a birthday in France."

 "Why don't I ever have a birthday here?"

 "I want to have a birthday party with my French friends!"

 Sunday, Estelle got her wish surrounded by 27 other kids she knows at Fun City in Cannes.  Old friends and new.

 Meanwhile, some parents escaped on a bench for a "quiet" moment.

 Little sisters came too!

Estelle invited friends from her old school and friends from her new school. 

 We could choose between cake or crepes.  Since it was 9:30 on a Sunday (yes, 9:30 on a Sunday.  In Cannes.), we chose crepes.

 Thomas doesn't know anybody so I sometimes referred to the kids by their instruments.  Let's call these two Guitar and Viole de gambe (I have no idea what that is).

 That kid with his finger up is a twin.  He plays the cello and his twin sister the violin.

 Red pinney = piano.

 There's Saxophone girl down there in this photo too.  p.s. who took these photos with my camera?  Estelle carried my camera up into one of the labyrinths?  

 Blond pigtails = trombone.  Next to her, the other long-haired blonde = guitar.

 See that redhead on the air hockey?  Bassoon.

 Meanwhile:  "The Inner Circle", aka people I was pregnant with.  (ok not Lud exactly).  Fransiska (Eliott), Caro (Milo), & Lud (Eva & Louise).

Estelle had the morning of her life.  It was worth it.

Halloween in Angers!

 Estelle & Léna flew, by themselves, on a plane up to Angers for most of their 2-week school vacation.  They did many fun things while there, not the least of which was a great Halloween bash on the afternoon of the 31st.  Here they are, morning of:

 Look at that cake!  I am amazed!  It's SO creative!  Below:  The Witchy Welcome Waiting.....

Bobbing for apples:  A Halloween favorite!

Thanks to Guy & Andrée, this party was a big hit! 

 These other children are the children/grandchildren of the neighbors who live on the cul-de-sac.  Many of them our girls have met before. 

 I can't wait to get the story behind this incredible witch drawing/poster that they made to play "Pin the Wart on the Witch".  I love it!  So much fun and so great to have it be homemade!

Time for the Halloween gouter around the table - such fun!

We think Estelle & Léna are pretty lucky little girls to have such great grandparents!

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!)