Art

 Today I downloaded some photos off Estelle's little camera.  To my surprise, one whole section was her taking photos of her and Léna's drawings & paintings.

 I realize these photos date from last summer, when we went to London for a wedding and Thomas' parents came to stay with the girls while we were away. 

 They made a "museum" on our bedroom wall and stuck up all manners of their artwork.  I remember how excited they were to show it to us when we walked in the door from the airport.

 It's still all on our bedroom wall, 6 months later.  Estelle said "it's a permanent exhibition".

 She also apparently took a photo looking out our bedroom window.

 And one of Léna's room.

You never know what you'll find on other people's cameras!

High 60's - Beach time

 Last night we got the girls back.  After I went to mass and prayed I could get the hang of being a mother again after a 6-day hiatus, off we went to Villefranche for a nice picnic with hot socca and a pepper shaker in hand.

 So much fun to run in and out of the waves.

 Thing 1 and Thing 2.  Tweedledee and Tweedledum?  2 Peas in a Pod?

 Somewhere there's a photo of me at age 4, crouched down in the garden in front of the crabapple tree in Jericho, grubbing around for something with hair in my face, snarling at the camera, and it might as well be this photo:

 Meanwhile:  Aldrich legs.  Lisa and Laura, I'm talking to YOU!

 How the other half (or is that just the 1%?) lives:

 These girls went from treacherous snow conditions to barefoot on the beach collecting shells in the same week.

 Thank god my husband is young and has the energy for this:

Back to reality, routines, school, activities, music lessons etc tomorrow!

It's Lent!

Lent means I get off Facebook for 40 days and thus can pay some much-needed attention to my blog.
For now, until I get recent photos off my camera and phone, here's photos Thomas loaded off his phone:

 Above:  Thomas's best man Guillaume and his daughter Maia, when Thomas was in Spain.  Below:  me throwing out vomited-on stuff from the car on the windy road to Calvinet.

 Estelle and Léna on funny little ponies over a year ago in Angers.

 Léna as a cowboy.  I have no idea where Thomas took this.

 Estelle riding a pony.  Somewhere.

 I don't know what this was, or where.   

 Estelle doing a treasure hunt for Nice Patrimony Day.

 Léna, making her own treasure hunt.

 If only I knew what, or who, this was.

 No one is this photo is recognizable to me.  Why does my husband take photos of strangers with his phone?

 Léna flying high on the trampoline.

 Thomas at the new gazillion dollar state of the art stadium in Nice for a big-deal rugby game.

 Below: I assume this is something Thomas ate, somewhere.

 Léna skating with Thomas!

You just never know what random photos you'll find on your spouse's phone!

Estelle sings a French song

Click here to see Estelle singing a song from her chorale at school.

Video of Oboe/Dance Bonanza

Click here to watch the girls. Get ready to laugh.

January begins

Back in Nice, January 1st, 2014.  Reading with the new marble run from Santa in the foreground.

Working on beading projects!

 How to get your tree out of your apartment without dragging needles thru the building and the elevator.

 The "Christmas tree bulb" ride in Nice.  check out Thomas in the red ball with Léna.

 Meanwhile, those of us without vertigo went for the REAL DEAL.  A very high ferris wheel.

 This was the Sunday before school began, the last scrap of our holiday vacation time together.

 That week I did my usual Tuesday teaching in Monaco - and was amazed to see these incredible holiday decorations in the building where I teach.  I hadn't been in December so it was the first time I saw them.

 This tree was like stories high, and laden with REAL TOYS and stuffed animals.  So incredibly beautiful.  I was in awe.  Monaco is like another world.

 Meanwhile, back with the plebes in Nice:  a Christmas package from Aunt Martha & Uncle Chris:  full of presents and toys and maple sugar candy!

 These paper dolls were such a hit with the girls!

 Estelle got a flashlight and a book of fairy stencils to use with her flashlight - can't you tell from my photo below?  ha ha

 Martha send another dress-up dress/skirt for the girls, which they love:

 On the 12th, we went skiing for the day at nearby station "Valberg".  I managed getting everybody where they needed to be with passes and skis and this and that.  Once the girls were in their lessons and Thomas was on the slopes, I enjoyed some tea and chocolate brioche.  I sat this day out on the slopes.  Next time!

 Léna got her "ski legs" back on.  That's her with the while helmet and purple coat.  Hanging on for dear life.

 Léna isn't in this photo, but the view from the Kid's area was beautiful.  You can imagine what Thomas was seeing from high up!

 Successful skier!

 After our fun lunch on the sunny terrace of a brasserie, Thomas and Estelle hit the lifts for several runs while Léna and I played in the snow and went sliding.  It was great.

 This photo shows Thomas and Estelle going up the butt-pull (I know that's not the name in English but since I hardly ever skied in America I can't remember what it is called!  In French it is "butt pull" - which p.s. is hilarious).  Thomas below, Estelle up higher.

 We had an amazing day in the sun and snow, it was so warm!  Loved it.  Next time I'll be joining them!