Oboe

CLICK HERE TO SEE ESTELLE'S RECITAL.

 On May 26th, Estelle had her first "real" oboe recital at the Conservatory.  She played a piece called "Banana Tango", which she practiced in her lessons with her professor, Charlotte (whom you see in the video). 
Estelle also practiced at home, almost every day.  2 days before the recital, she got to go to the Conservatory on a Saturday and play with the accompanist on the piano.  He gave me a photocopy of the music to play so I could help Estelle practice. It was a challenge for me - it was hard to play!  He makes it look easy!  :-)
We were VERY proud of Estelle because Charlotte says Banana Tango is not an easy piece to play for someone who just started the oboe 9 months ago.
Estelle says "J'ai raté", which means "I made a mistake", but we told her mistakes are o-kay!

Dancing and Singing Nicois Folklore!

  Click here to see a video of Estelle singing Nicois songs (pictured above)! (you have to click here on these words, the pictures are just screenshots, not links).

Click on this link to see a short video of Estelle dancing on May 23rd in a special show for the "Fete de Mai" (pictured below).

Lena's birthday parties!!!!

 Léna had a birthday party in Calvinet, and one here in Nice last weekend at an outdoor activity park with friends from school.   First, photos from her party during the vacation up in Calvinet:  preparing for the pinata Guy made:

 Agnes spent a whole week with the girls in Calvinet - what a treat!

 Pinanta preparation!

 So many goodies!

 They had prepared the terrasse but the weather was terrible so no dice.

 Many, many second cousins, and 2nd cousins once removed, were able to attend this party.

 Above and below are Tata Yvette's grandchildren, and Tata Josette's (the butcher's wife) grandchildren, and even one great-granddaughter.

 Then it was pinata time.  So fun!  Thank you Papy & Manou!

 

Back in Nice, we also made a homemade pinata.     The whole family got in on the act over 4 days.  It was in the form of an old cartoon character called "Barbapapa".  This also means "cotton candy" in French.

Last Sunday on the 11th (also Estelle's "fete" day), we went to a town nearby for this big activity park in the forest.  It was HUGE.  I had no idea.

 Little buddies from Léna's class.  Marie and Achille.  Marie's grandmother owns a little vacation spot in Magog, just over the border from Newport, VT!  I see that grandmother often & we always chat about Magog and VT.  Small world.

 Léna & Marie arriving at the bottom!

 We had such a great time.  Thanks to Ludovic, father to Louise & Eva, who helped out so much keeping an eye on everybody.

 Léna got a ton of gifts.

 Her buddies Romane, Agathe, Louise, Liora were also in the mix.

 Another dad, Fabrice, came with his sons Anatole & Hippolyte.  Anatole is in Léna's class and Hippolyte was always in Estelle's classes until she changed school.  They are lovely boys.  Agathe's big sister, Prune (below in turquoise), who is 10, was such a big help too with the little 4 year olds. 

 

Barbapapa pinata was impossible to break open!   What a great set of birthday parties Léna had.  So much fun!  And great cards and gifts from America -thanks so much everyone!

Léna turns 5!

Léna in her first 2 weeks, early May 2009

So happy to be a big sister!

First 4th of July in America.  Picture taken on the bed in the snowflake room.  (before we got kicked out).  :-)

6 months old

9  months old and starting to show her TRUE SELF

One Year Old!

2 year old Terror wearing Estelle's crown

3 year old fun!

3 years old!

4 years old!  Card from Aunt Lisa & Uncle Dan

Barbie and her horse Tawny - present she chose with birthday money from Papi & Manou

4 years old Smurf Cake that we had with Yvette & Dédé in Provence

Tomorrow we go to Calvinet to see Léna, who was 4 the last time we saw her after our "jaunt" to the American Embassy/Consulat in Marseille last week. 

Easter!

 Above:  Estelle & Léna enjoy an April Fool's Fish chocolate.
Below:  A great card from Lisa & Dan for my license!

 Estelle & Léna get a great Easter package from Aunt Joanie!
 
 And in it was something for moi-meme!

A few days before Easter, Estelle had her first Wind Ensemble concert at the Conservatoire.  Here she is, with 2 girls on flute and a little boy on basson who are in her 2nd grade class.  The two other oboists are 3rd graders.

They played 2 songs.  It was very sweet, and fun. Then the older kids took over and things got serious!

Easter day, after mass (Estelle played and her grandparents got to see her, it was great!).  Then we had a wonderful leg of lamb meal that Thomas made.

I made "Susan Our Beginning Cook" scalloped potatoes, thanks to Joanie & Mom scanning me the recipe.  Anyone recognize the serving utensil?

 

On Easter evening, Léna lost her first tooth!

On Tuesday, we had to take Léna to the American Embassy in Marseille to renew her passport as the American Consulat in Nice is temporarily closed.  This photo is just next to the Embassy at the Marseille Prefecture.  It's quite impressive.

Today, after finishing my last day of university teaching, I walked all the way home on the Promenade, and enjoyed looking at things I never have time to enjoy.  Below, a ferry, the beaches....

Above - the Negresco. All in all not a bad walk!