BLOG CATCHUP!
With my parents here, I can finally catch up on some events in MARCH.
The Dirty D came in early March just in time to see our kitchen cabinets go in. Sadly, it was the reason we had to stay home ALL DAY. The first day was fine, since Devina was still getting over partying with Shravi in happenin' Munich. But by the 2nd day, we were a bit antsy in our pantsy to get out of the house.
Devina's first night was quite eventful. It began with finding Phuong cursin' up a storm b/c the fussy baby had been fussing for the last HOUR trying to get to bed. And it ended with Brian starting the battery operated pump on her aero bed only to hear it die down within 20 seconds with a FAR from inflated mattress. EEK. Probably should have done that before our guest came.
Then, we plopped a baby in her lap. And who would have thought...Devina is a BABY person. Michael LOVED her despite the quizzical look below. I think she may be the brownest person he's ever met:
After resting all day at home, we went to Rue Mouffetard for an "early" dinner at 6:00pm. We were the only people in the place and had to wait for our dinner because the staff was sitting down to theirs. Afterwards, Devina and I went to a cafe on the corner and enjoyed a nice Parisian coffee.
On Devina's last day, we finally get out of the house and head over to the Tuileries to sit beside this empty fountain. There were other Parisians sitting there too, hoping that it would turn on. But alas, Devina and I were content knowing what could have been, enjoying our fruit cake and coffee.
Then, we were off to meet Brian on Rue de Rivoli so we could walk Devina to Chatalet, where she flew back to Shravi for the rest of her European vacation. It was great to see her!
THEN, the TEACHER friends invaded Paris in mid March!
From our arrival in January to March, we had rain almost EVERY day except like 3. So imagine our surprise when the Teacher Friends brought with them SUNSHINE! Boy were we happy to see them and the SUN!
Brian met them at the airport and helped everyone with all of their luggage to the hotel. Considering half of the luggage was our stuff from the U.S., it was really only appropriate!
I met them all at their hotel and we enjoyed a nice Parisian lunch at a cafe on Rue Cler, another nice market street in Paris. You would have never guessed they had any jet lag by the way they were so happy and giggly!
The MOM organized a great tour of Paris for them called, "Paris on Speed" and we really did not see much of them at all! We hosted a "Teacher Appreciation Dinner," which consisted of food purchased at an Italian eatery and enjoyed a nice night of company. Good thing they came because it gave us a real reason to by REAL plates! ;o)
On Sunday, THE MOM came and baby sat for us so I could cook dinner, the 1st time in like MONTHS, and gave Brian and I a break for a date. Also, another first in months! Michael was happy to have his Grammy with him despite his cheeks:
Brian and I went to the Ile de la Cite and pretended to be tourists and spoke English! It was GREAT! It made me realize how "French" our area of town is. I never even dream of speaking English where we live! We went to a nice Italian gelato place where Brian got a cool cone with ice cream shaped like petals to form a rose. It was beautiful.
Then we had a crepe. It was awesome.
That night, for dinner, I served Osso Bucco, which was pretty good. If you are adventurous, here's the recipe:
Anyways, Candy and Annette spent the day at Fountainebleu and came home to tell us all about it over the Osso Bucco and gnocchi. Then, we had a slumber party with 3 teachers, 2 air mattresses, and 1 living room in Paris. We were so sad to see them go because it is great to have family and friends from back home around. Plus, funny giggly ones. Here is a great pic of them on the Seine river. Annette is back there, but she's hiding her bottle of wine!! ;o)
WHEW! That's IT! I have been meaning to blog that for MONTHS and am so glad to finally get the chance! My parents are here now so I can have a break!! ;o)
Love,
P
P
