Doing Stuff

I know it seems like a lot of our life is doing stuff that's out of the ordinary, like travel or go to the Louvre on occasion. But we also do stuff that's like what all other families do too.

For example, I believe in Texas (and in other states as well)...it is common to go to what is known as a "county fair" or possibly "state fair."

Parisians do that too...it's indoors and takes up the amount of space as 6-7 George R Brown Convention Centers, otherwise known as Porte de Versailles off of Tramway 3. However, there are no corndogs or funnel cake. I know, how do you call that a fair???

So we went Sunday, March 1st with Michael's best friend, Jonah and The Daniels! They checked out lots of sheep with their dads:


And of course, had some pictures with a tractor. In this case, the wheel. Notice our arms helping to stage the event:

Let's not forget the suckling pigs:
Oh yes...and of course, little pigs for the kids to ride on. This was especially funny because they had these little lights that would show up on the pigs stomachs highlighting what pork product you could make. Like "Saucisson" etc. Guess this exhibit was not meant for Jewish people.

Jonah and Michael colored a free picture of a cow while I went around stealing the kids games with the animal stickers to save as toys for our "travel toy bag."

We also found an exhibit where you could buy flavored milks. Like honey flavor and vanilla flavored. What was more impressive...was that it actually tasted like milk from the States because it was delicious and fresh and cold! Here in France, they have UHT milk which is ultra pasteurized and lasts longer. Also...it can be stored at room temperature. Also, it tastes like crap.

SO! We were quite delighted to find some good tastin' milk!! However, we were not quite as delighted as the boys when they found a talking yogurt container on a big screen TV:


That was March 1st. Then, on Sunday, March 15th, it was beautiful. Le debut du beau temps!!! So we went for a walk up Rue Mouffetard to Place Contrescarpe where we stopped at Amorino for some serious sugar. Otherwise known as an ice cream cone. A certain someone was pretty happy about this plan:

Here's my buddies at Place Contrescarpe...about a stone's throw away from the hotel we stayed at on our honeymoon nearly 7 years ago!

And now...we have made it to today! Jonah, Kirsten, her mom, Michael, and I went to Jardin d'Acclimatation for the morning!! It is a kids' paradise. While waiting for Kirsten's gang, Michael demanded to ride on the train...even though it would not be running for another 4 hours. Well, if you're gonna do that, I'm gonna take pictures:

Along our walk, we discovered a new xylophone exhibit! The kids, and grownups alike, REALLY loved that!

Kirsten and I were wondering outloud whether it was new and we decided it was because everything was nice and new. Not all beat up like normal Parisian things are. Here is Kirsten's Cool and The Gang jamming out. Jonah is in the back center of the picture:

Then we explored some animals. Semi exciting today. And went to play in their enormous 2 parks. Michael loved this trampoline and I loved this blossoming tree in the back:

Here is the Square des pompiers...emergency square! I just love that little chateau top in the background and that tree. Oh yes, and Michael running around is fun too:

Michael and his best friend, driving the emergency vehicle while singing The Wheels on the Bus. Hope they are not responding to YOUR emergency!

Every good square needs a lookout:

And 2 best friends playing together! We love it when they get together!

How do you end a day of running around a new park? Headed to McDonalds for lunch! And here is Kirsten's mom taking care of the boys as they hold onto the stroller


Oh, I took all of these Jardin d'Acclimatation pictures with my 5 year old digital canon point and shoot camera! Boom, Roasted! I know, that made absolutely NO sense. Just wanted to see if you were paying attention after looking at nearly 20 pictures in a blog post.

Michael fell asleep after 2 minutes of being on the metro on the way home. It was an exciting day and he's napping right now! Looks like we'll miss tea hour/book/magazine swap this afternoon!

BUT on the serious up side? Brian's home early today!! MR. took a half day so we're going to run to the park with our sidewalk chalk and TEAR IT UP.

WORD,

P