Ain't that the truth #breastfedbaby

- especially the way he sleeps after the OECD summer party, which this year I didn't go to #hassleaverse

The long-legged one #nogenderstereotypescheznous

The Little Engine That Could #just

On paper it was perfect.

An early start, a 2 hour train journey, a 40th birthday brunch for 2 out of the 4 of us, a good catch up with childhood school friends (32 years now and counting), and a return journey getting me home to help put the kids to bed.

The Eurostar. That was my downfall. 

I was up at 5.30, got myself and crevette ready and sailed on to the bus and then through security on to the train. 

We reached Calais...and there we stayed. It feels easy now writing it, but at the time we were only given information every 30 mins - each time being told to wait for more information in 30 minutes' time - and little else. As time went by some old ladies brought me a twix and water, and I started to wonder whether I would even make my return train and what would happen if I didn't.

4 hours later the electrical fault in the tunnel had been fixed. All trains in both directions had been at a standstill, and that at least meant that my return train had been cancelled to help clear the back log and I could book a new ticket for free.

The brunch started without me but I did make it for coffee and cuddles.

2007 and 2018

We also made it home again (not always a guarantee with Eurostar) although only around 23h30 (more delays). It was a loooooong day in the train, but worth it. Crevette was brilliant as usual. Now my next battle begins: getting more than the £30 compensation they offered me!!

Chateau Pelloutier #endoftermshow

Small Fry and Fingerling's school celebrated the end the year with a show. Normally it's videoed in advance and the video show on a big screen in order to avoid frozen children failing to perform. This year they decided to do it live, and there were a couple of kids who refused to go on 'stage' or could do nothing once on it but stand still, but for the majority it was a lot of fun...and of course for our Fingerling there was simply not enough star time for her...

For the show, the whole school was decorated as a chateau and we were invited to join the princess (Audrey), rescue her brother from the wicked witch while dancing through the village (cue various children at various levels of dance).

The team

Small Fry and his teacher Alexandra (Fingerling didn't want a photo with hers). Both kids have continued to expand in creativity, maturity and both social and intellectual development.

Post-show. How they've grown!

Daddy getting in on the act too

It's been another brilliant year at the jardin d'enfants. Although we were sad to see so many changes with the Directrice and Small Fry's teacher leaving, the two new teachers have been absolutely amazing...particularly Fingerling's (Audrey) who is gifted beyond words, and loves the young 'uns, which shows. We have been very blessed to be part of this amazing school. And the funny thing is that I hummed and haa-ed about this school for ages before choosing it. And I had a very wobbly moment with Small Fry going to his new school (total urban environment)...but the jardin worked out, so hopefully primary school will too!

Flying solo #everyone'sawinner

Both El Puma and I have been flying solo...him literally with a 4-day work trip to Peru. And me, well,  me doing everything else.

It's all gone pretty well really. I probably shouldn't have started sleep training with him gone, so I'm pretty glad he's back to help. But most other things stayed the same...

..such as the kids' room at 10pm when Fingerling should have been sleeping

The poor girls naps at school even though she never does at home, so on school nights she is simply not tired. We let her play or read quietly in her room and she generally puts herself to bed around 22h30. Of late she has been attempting vertical engineering. Note how she piles everything on her brother's bed but keeps her clear. She always tidies everything away before going to sleep and the room is spotless by morning.

Yeah, yeah, ok, the treat was more about me, but this way everyone's a winner when daddy isn't at home, and they love me more. J.u.s.t. k.i.d.d.i.n.g.

Both kids scraped their knees nicely. Totally not my fault. Unless you count me taking them to the soft play area. Who knew soft play could bring about such friction burns (and dirty ones at that)?

Daddy made it home with about 15 minutes to go in the France vs Peru football World Cup match. Our family was divided: El Puma for Peru, the kids for France, and me for the non-alcoholic beer in the German bar we watched the game in. 

Like I said, everyone's a winner. Except maybe Peru.

How to ride the bus #Frenchness

Riding a bus here is not as simple as getting on the bus, paying your money, sitting down, and getting off once you reach your destination.

In France, one of THE rules of bus etiquette is to say hello (see below). And there you have it, in a nutshell. It's why once on Saturday and once on Sunday at two different parties with international friends, the Frenchies walking in were the obvious ones...because they were the ones who went round each person and said a proper hello (usually with the bises (a French kiss, sort of) or a handshake).

What, as you did? pointed out El Puma, as I discussed my analysis with him.

Aaargh!

School Fair #girllikesfacepaints

The World Cup #footballwidow

Mama, why is no-one talking to me anymore?

 Because, my love, the World Cup has started.

Pram babe #lasts30mins

Stars in her eyes #spectacle #carnivaldesanimaux

A star is born. Possibly.

She was an elephant. Or maybe a mouse. Either way, seriously cute.

And her 10 minutes on the stage were nowhere near enough. "When can I go back up?" she kept asking.

Fingerling's first dance show was this morning at a theatre on the other side of Paris. The whole family came along to see her and we all loved every minute of it. 

 Especially the star.

It was really nice the way their teacher came on with them and talked them through their dance and gave us an insight into how she teaches and how the kids respond.

TV time as a reward. Everyone's a winner.

He loves to learn #AnEducation

We have been hum-ing and haa-ing all year about whether to send Small Fry to an international school when he officially starts primary school (Cours Preparatoire) in September. I really do want him to have a bilingual education, but the schools are either close and expensive, or not close and still pretty expensive.

So I decided to sign him up for the entrance exam to see how it goes. In preparation, Small Fry started English classes 1 hour a week with an English teacher who lives literally around the corner. She runs other classes for kids that are called English & Creativity, so she really tries to teach in a visual and innovative way...which is what I wanted (NOT more school).

Anyway, Small Fry has LOVED his English lessons and his reading has really come on well, especially as they don't really start to learn to read in France until next year.

Of course, after all that, I finally decided that the local public all-in-French school is actually very good and well considered, and we can wait another year before paying those international school fees - mainly because with the arrival of crevette I didn't manage to find us a house so that we can live closer to the international school and make things more feasible...

...or maybe it's because I really just love living here and am not quite yet ready to go...

Stork Blessings #miraclebabies

I'm not saying some babies are more precious than others...just that some maybe took a bit more time and money to get here*

I managed to meet up with two of those babies and their mamas this week - one in Brussels and one right here in Paris. It was such a delight to see these friends of mine with their babes in their arms.

What little blessings.

Isaac

Anna with Crevette

*say, 15 years and €30,000

Street party #Batignolles #17throcks

This weekend our arrondissement celebrated a street fair, with street food, a bring and buy sale, face painting, a little train, a small zoo, and even with restaurants moving their tables on to the actual street (closed to traffic) and serving out there. It was hot but cool, if you get what I mean.

With some Mexican dancing added. Random. As most things were...

The face-painting was awesome, but really, the whole thing was a lot of fun and added to the village feel of Batignolles, which I love so much.