Saturday, September 20, 2014

Griffin and School


Life is busy.
Apartment hunting
and just the thought of
moving again is taking up
most of my days.
We don't have to be out
until November 28th..
and I think they'll be pushing us
out the door on that day.
I don't want to leave here!


Griffin is slowly adjusting 
to his new life at school.
He has days when he jumps out
of bed and can't wait to go.
And then he has days that are the
complete opposite of that.



On those days
we do things like the above.
Trying out new cafe's and  
visiting the park.
I am not pushing him.
We are taking this school
thing slow.
Not the French way..
that's for sure.


As expats, 
we encourage the kids
to try new things.
Experience the food..
learn the language and 
the history..
understand the people and 
be respectful of their culture and country.


However,
when it came to schooling Griffin,
I decided not to send him at 
3 or 4 when most 
French kids are heading off to
l'ecole.


And I have no regrets.
I am also so grateful
for his patient teachers 
at his little school here!
We are proud of you Griff! 


The leaves are falling in Paris..
but the temperatures however
seem to be rising!
Bon weekend!!
















Tuesday, September 16, 2014

La Parisienne


I ran a road race for the first
time Sunday! 
The La Parisienne 6.7 km!!
I started running at the 
beginning of the summer.
The furthest I've run is about
4 km.
 I had every intention of stopping
at 4 and walking the rest..
but I just kept going!


It was so exciting picking
up my number!
And the day of the race there
are over 25,000 women running!

It was such an amazing day.
Never in a million years
did I ever think of running
a road race.
And now..
I want to do another!
It's addicting!



There was a group of us
that ran.
So fun!


Yesterday..
Griffy didn't go to school.
He woke up crying and 
said he didn't want to go.
I didn't push him.
So we went to a cafe together.
(I had a delicious fig and mascarpone tarte!)


We've been having warm sunny
days with gorgeous skies over the city.
(sunrise this morning over Les Invalides)


And this morning he's off!
We kiss each others' hands 
and put them on our cheeks 
when we miss each other 
during the day.

My hand is always 
on my cheek.
So proud of you buddy!






Monday, September 8, 2014

Rome and The Amalfi Coast


Before I go any further..
I need to explain the 
eviction.
Eviction is a strong word.
I was being a bit dramatic.
(my middle name)
We have been told to leave though.
We haven't done anything wrong.
Didn't throw a big loud party
or have been disruptive in any way.
The building will be under new 
management and they are doing
major renovations.
So..we need to move.

We flew into Paris the morning
of August 5th.
The next day we were flying 
to Rome!
This was our 3rd trip to 
Italy but first to Rome.


I don't think I'd do that again..
we were SO jet lagged.
We were walking around the Colosseum
at midnight!
The good thing was that it 
was cool at night..
and so pretty!










We stayed in the Trastevere section
of Rome.
We rented an apartment for 4 days and it
was the perfect location.


We took a lot of pictures
with iphones.



Returning to Rome
is a must.
We didn't do half of what
I had planned.
Rome in 4 days 
with 4 kids
jetlagged..
not a great idea.
Believe me..
I'm not complaining.
We did fit in a lot and 
ate amazing food...
but I'd love to go back.
Maybe just with Steve. 
:)


On Saturday we rented a car
and drove to Positano.
A gorgeous and nail biting 
drive along the Amalfi coast!


We stayed in a hotel in
Positano for a week..
this was our view from our
balcony!





We drove to Ravello
one of the days.
We walked around this
beautiful town and 
had a fantastic lunch with 
this view!



Our days in Positano were spent on 
the beach
and eating big lunches!
In the evening we'd order pizza
and hang out by the pool.









selfie!


Another day we rented a boat!
This was probably one of our favorite
days! 
I don't think I've ever seen water this color..
a beautiful deep navy blue.



another selfie from the boat!




On Saturday we drove to Naples..
returned the rental car
(which we did not need the entire week
except to drive to Ravello)..
and hopped the ferry to 
Capri!!

This was taken from our
balcony looking down at 
the kids in the pool!


Capri was so beautiful!
The beaches..the people watching..
the food..the fashion.
Loved Capri!


Hannah and Will
rock jumping


I feel terrible about
not taking more pictures!
Too busy enjoying ourselves.
An amazing end to an 
amazing summer.

I asked Steve recently..
"where to next?"
Although, with moving to 
a new apartment soon
and getting kids
settled into school
and me adjusting to all
of this alone time..
I think we'll stay put for a bit.

































Thursday, September 4, 2014

Moving On



Griffin went to school this morning.
He's been there about 3 hours now
and the director has already emailed
me twice saying that he's fine.

I guess she thought I'd need 
that reassurance after 
dropping him off this morning.


He is attending a small
bilingual school here in the
city.
The teachers speak only French
in the morning and
only English in the afternoon.
There is a private garden for recess
and the lunch menu looks
like something off of a 
Michelin starred restaurant.

I know this is a perfect place 
for Griffin.
And I know that he's ready.
But, man it's been an emotional 
few weeks for me.
Stephen leaving for college.
Saying many goodbyes to family 
and friends.
Getting evicted from our apartment.
Griffin going to school.

Yes..
I said EVICTED!
I'm in shock
and trying to be positive
and grateful for the time that 
we've had in this amazing apartment.

But..wow.

Moving on.





Monday, September 1, 2014

Our Summer in The Pink House


I can't believe I didn't take
one picture of the house
we rented all summer!
Maybe it's because every time
I looked out the window 
there were a MILLION 
other people taking a picture of the house.




This is it!
We rented
"The Pink House" for 5 weeks
this summer.


We LOVE being 
in the Campground !
Staying here is such a nice
balance to our life here in Paris.
We're able to walk to 
the market and the harbor
and Stephen can walk to work.


We arrived on the Vineyard
on the last Sunday in June.
A few days later we celebrated
Hannah's 16th birthday!


So bummed that I can't fix the
red-eye in this picture!
We took Hannah to the 
Sweet Life Cafe for dinner
with my mom.
It was such a lovely evening
and we got to sit outside
under the twinkling lights.


Hannah and her cousins
trying out the 
paddle boards.


Out to lunch at the 
Sandbar with my dad
and some of the cousins.
Hi dad!


I regret I didn't take 
many pictures this summer.


I also didn't cook much at all
this summer!
We spent many meals here
at my mom's house.
My mom also hosted a
"Carnival"..which we hope will
become a yearly event..
and that Steve can attend next year!


The Carnival was a blast!
Complete with tiki bar..
games for the kids
and amazing food!
Can't wait for next years' mom!
(and next year we'll have a group picture!)


We had a great day at the 
beach the next day.




This has become an annual game..
and we're always the loudest family on
the beach.


We don't see our family
during the year..


.....so we soak up as much as 
we can during those 5 weeks.


A rainy Sunday afternoon
spent at the Lookout Tavern
with my brother David and sister 
Jen and her husband.
Fun!


So glad we were able to 
spend some time with 
some dear friends from NH.
Thank you Lara, Erin and Kerry 
for making it happen!
We loved seeing you
and can't wait for next year!


And it wouldn't be summer
without the obligatory bridge
jump...
(sweet jump Kyra!)


Hannah



David


Cammie


Not this year Griff


One late afternoon Jen and I took
all the kids up to Squibnocket..
Squibby is open to the public
after 5.









We love Squibby!!


When we start getting close to the end..
we all start saying,
"we haven't done this!"
or 
"we haven't done that!"
Menemsha for dinner and sunset
is a must and I'm so glad
we  pulled it together to go.







We bring a bottle of wine
and order dinner from
The Bite and Larsen's fish 
market..
steamers
shrimp cocktail
lobster rolls
and the seafood nachos
are amazing!!







Miss you Stephen!


Nothing better than good food,
family and the best sunset in 
the world!


It was also Will's 12th 
birthday!



On our way home from Menemsha
we swung into my Mom's house
for cake and singing.
Happy Birthday buddy!
We love you!


We rented the Banana boat!
Such a fun day and Jen and I 
got to ride on the boat while towing these
guys with Griff and Annie!


I don't think I've ever 
laughed that hard!!



Last one standing


What a blast!


The summer was filled with 
ice cream
and carousel rides..


and back door donuts
and swimming
and family and friends...



and house buying!
We bought a cottage in the 
campground!
Still pinching myself and 
counting the days until next summer.


Waving goodbye
to our family and 
our new home.
It was an awesome summer.
See you next year!



We drove to Boston
and spent two days
back to school shopping
hair cuts
doctors appointments
and saying goodbye to our
Duxbury friends
after they hosted a
fantastic meal for us!
We love and miss you Perry Drive!





Griffy loved trying on
back to school clothes.



Our last American meal before
boarding our flight home to Paris.
Clam chowder and hamburgers.


And we're off!


Goodbye Boston!
Hello Rome
Positano and Capri!!