Snow Day in Paris

the kids have a snow day today!

it snowed all weekend

and paris looked amazing!

it's been raining for a few hours

so most of it is gone..

but yesterday,

we got out and walked 

and snapped some pics.

after six months of living here..

i still pinch myself.

i am a very lucky girl.

a brave soul skiing 

the steps of trocadero!

Paris Snow and Pizza Night

last night it snowed

here in paris...

and it was the most

beautiful sight.

is there anything more

peaceful than going to sleep

while the snowfalls outside?

the normal bustling and beeping

sounds of paris

turned soft and quiet.

such a wonderful way to drift

off to sleep

i think.

hannah had a few girls sleepover..

and they went out to take pics.

i took one of them from our balcony..

we also resumed our friday night 

pizza night...

i finally found some yeast.

don't ask what i paid for the american croutons.

snow in paris...

is just lovely.

paris weekending

it was a nice weekend.

after steve being gone all 

last week..

we just enjoyed being home 

together.

we watched movies

(my tech savvy kids figured

out how to stream through

the internet and the PSP,

Les Mis!)

it was wonderful.

we are HUGE Les Mis fans 

here

and the movie is not even

opening in Paris until February.

what a treat to see it.

we ate lots of comfort foods

 and slept in.

 sunday,

will and i had a date

to visit the american library in paris.

we hadn't been yet

and now i can see us being 

frequent visitors.

it was nice to catch up on all the 

american magazines/newspapers

and to spend some quality time with 

my will.

fleurs

when steve goes on a trip..

i buy myself flowers.

it's just one of those

things that i've always

done for myself.

flowers make me happy.

:)

City Living

transitioning from our own home

near the beach

with a yard and the freedom

to talk and play as loud as 

you'd like..

to an apartment in the city

 has been challenging.

especially for the younger kids.

when the kids start to get cooped up..

and they do..

i can't just say, 

"go out and play."

 don't get me wrong..

i love the city.

there is so much that i love about

living here.

i love walking everywhere.

i haven't driven a car since august

and i don't miss it.

i love that there is 

always something to do

or somewhere to go.

i love the lights

and the hustle and bustle

of living in a city.

i'm still trying to adjust

to the noisiness of living in

a city.

and not just the noise 

coming from outside.

moving our family of six

to a new country..

piece of cake.

dealing with crazy loud 

neighbors...

not so much.

Top of the Arc

the house is so quiet.

kids back to school today

after nearly 3 weeks off...

and steve off to CA.

sad to see it all end..

but ready for the new year.

we ended our vacation

with a birthday weekend

celebration for steve.

friday night he and i 

dined out at a traditional

french restaurant. 

saturday night the whole family

went to a local chinese food 

restaurant.

we had homemade cards and a 

few presents and cake.

one present,

from hannah..

was a wine glass filled 

with dijon mustard.

steve LOVES  the dijon mustard here.

sunday we walked up the 284 steps

to the top of the arc de triomphe.

it was very overcast

but the views were still magnificent.

sacre' coeur.

looking down the champs elysees

towards the louvre.

notre dame is in the upper right corner.

i just love the rooftops in paris.

heading back down.

another terrific weekend in paris!

Bonne Annee!

we've had my mom here visiting us

from martha's vineyard!

she had never been to paris

and we were blessed with 

beautiful weather.

sunny most days and 50!

we strolled the christmas markets,

rode the ferris wheel,

dined at some wonderful restaurants,

shopped the champs,

walked the jardin de tuileries,

visited the eiffel tower on new years eve.

there was so much more to see!

but, i'm hoping her visit here

was a nice one.

we loved having  you mom!

for christmas,

steve gifted me with a new camera!

i have been having so much

fun taking pictures with it.

i can't wait to learn more..

because i truly have no idea

what i'm doing!

i gave our old nikon d40 to hannah..

as she has shown interest in photography too.

my new one..the nikon d5100 is equipped 

with video..which i'm happy about.

i have NO video of my kids!

he also included the 300mm lens 

which i LOVE!

we are still enjoying time off.

the kids don't go back to school

until monday..steve went back to work today.

happy new year friends!

may this year bring us all

 peace

good health

and happiness.