Adieu l' CAB (Farewell CAB)

Lilly's last day of school was sweet. How vividly I remember her first day and the excitement she felt. When I went to pick her up that first day she was exhausted and overwhelmed. The second day we arrived at the school she put on her slippers and then turned to me with tears welling in her eyes as she said, "I don't really want to do this anymore." She cried and I cried as I left her at school that day. From there on out we had to work our way into a French school day. I wasn't ready to let my baby go to school all day and she wasn't ready to spend the morning listening to gibberish that she couldn't understand. Once a week she stayed full day. By the middle of January she was enjoying herself more and more and she was understanding French! On this last day of school she spoke French to her teacher Elizabeth and to her little friends Harry, Ruben, Maria & Maya. I'm so grateful to the teachers and staff at the CAB for their patience, thought and care they gave Lilly. Really there is nothing cuter than a little child speaking French. My little Lilly you did good this year. You were so brave and you are so smart. I love you for rising to the challenge that this year had to offer you!



Bonne Vacances (Happy Vacation) read the sign on the pathway out of the school yard. As I read the sign to Lilly she hiccuped a little cry. I so didn't want this to be a sad day for her, but it's hard to think about not returning when you've had such a growing experience. We collected Clara and her good friend Emilee and we headed to Fontainebleau for ice cream and a ride on the carousel. After all the last day of school is meant to be celebrated! Adieu l'CAB!!!!

préparer pour la pluie (prepare for the rain)

You never know when it's going to be sunny in France. One must always préparer pour la pluie. This little corner by our front door always makes me smile. There is something so cheery about a sturdy & cute pair of rainboots!

Romance à Paris (Romance in Paris)

Taylor and I decided early on that we would try to maximize every possible opportunity this sabatical year had to offer. One of my favorite indulgences was our bi-monthly trips to Paris while the kids were in school. We would drop everyone off in the morning and head straight to the train station. On the ride in we would pour over guide books, read the French newspaper and enjoy just thinking about the possibilities for our day. Inevitably our first stop was a bakery. No matter how many times I enter a French bakery I can't help but snap pictures. Food in France is so pictureworthy! Taylor is the best in a bakery...he always tries something new and he ALWAYS buys something to take along for the journey.
My most favorite big city in the world is Paris. You just never know what sites you will see and culture is oozing everywhere. For instance just look at this guard dog standing watch in front of the eyewear store.
Sometimes our day in Paris was packed with hitting museums and we ate baguette sandwiches on the run. Other days we went simply because we could...these were some of my favorite days. I love sitting at a cafe and ordering the plat du jour (plate of the day). Lunch is never disapointing in France!
From the flower shops to the palace gardens beauty is everywhere.



Since this was the last week of school we knew it was our last date day in Paris. We sat on the green chairs in Luxemborg Gardens, took a little rest and talked about this charmed life we have been living. Life is truly wonderful!

fonctionnement des chemins (running paths)

There are many perks to living in a small village. One of my personal favorites happened to be the open fields surrounding Bourron Marlotte. While I'm not a huge runner, I did enjoy walking and running through the fields, past the gardens, stately homes and over the cobble-stone streets. Here are just a few of my favorite running paths.

petite voitures (teeny tiny cars)

It's so much fun to spot the most petite voitures in Paris. They almost look like they are made for cartoon characters. Wish we could take one home. Sure makes parking easier!

Riding the Alps

Taylor, Greg & Doug Thomas headed off early Friday June 20th for a boys retreat in the alps. Of course they took their bikes. The main objective was to ride the steepest & most difficult passes of the Tour de France: Col du Galbier, Col du Telegraphe, Col de la Croix du Fere & l’Alp d’Huez. It was really difficult riding over 12,000 feet of climbing up hill. Needless to say they were hungry, tired & satisfied at the end of their two-day journey.

Poppys

Every couple of weeks there is a new crop of color filling the fields and roadsides. The red corn poppy is a flower (or weed to some) of wartime remembrance. It was one of the only plants that grew on the battlefield. It thrives in disturbed soil, which was abundant on the land due to intensive shelling. During the few weeks the plant blossomed, the battlefield was colored blood red, not just from the red flower but from the carnage of those who fought in battle. For this reason the plant became a symbol for the lost soldiers.