Living With Crazies

I have been M.I.A. most of this week because I caught the nasty ole' stomach bug. It was NOT fun!! However, I did discover that getting sick in an apartment with one toilette that a 2-year old is also just perfecting his aim is even worse than just having a stomach bug. GROSS!!! I also learned that the french call the stomach bug "getting the G.I.", sounds a little more serious than our version.


Well, moving on to less disgusting topics. The kids have both done and said some pretty funny things the last few weeks and I want to document them, that way when I get home I will remember.

1. Emma was doing school work and saw M-F on our calendar. Not interesting until....we are walking to the Metro this morning and out of the clear blue she says, "Mom, is M.F. a site word?" AH, no, no it's not Em!! Let's not say that anymore. (Dying inside.)

2. Scout has decided that he can yell "FE, FI, FO, Fum I smell the blood of an EnglishMAN!", very angry like at any point in the day. No regard to where we are. We can be at church, the market, a small shop, or on the metro and he will begin this chant from his stomach with a lot of theatrics. Needless to say we get some funny looks.

3. When walking back from the metro Scout has now decided he will just stop. Like a mule. I am not moving anymore. Today I had my hands completely full and could not pick him up, so we just stood for a good 5 minutes until I did what any desperate parent does. "I'll give you candy!!" This is not a fun phase.

4. Also, Mr. Scout has been known to drop his drawers in the streets and begin to tinkle right where he is standing. This has about made his sister die of embarrassment. Fortunately, this is quiet acceptable in Paris.

5. Emma has lost 3 teeth in the last week. She is very excited about this and her enthusiasm is very sweet. When sitting on the Metro last Friday, she noticed an older gentleman gave her a sweet smile and said "Hello". She then opened her mouth and began running her tongue over her gum area where her 2 top teeth would have been, while raising her eyebrows. She looked like a FREAK!! The poor man turned completely around where he couldn't see her anymore. Then Emma says "How rude". No sis, I think you making a weird no teeth face at him was what was rude.

These 2 are CRAZY and if they don't get us arrested it will be a miracle!!! Of course, Jarred and I laugh at 90% of their antics because they really are innocent and the kids have no idea why what they did was funny.


Until Next Time,
Megan

The Zoo and More

Jarred says I left the last post a cliff hanger and then fell off the blog ban wagon. That was totally unintentional if that is how you are feeling. You may once again return to normal life. I am still alive and still writing a blog. However, trying to build a social life in Paris has occupied a bit of my time this past week. It was fantastic!! I was able to attend my bible study, take Emma to choir, visit a museum and garden with a new friend, and we had a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner hosted by fellow Americans.

I need to catch you up on the zoo before we can move on to further more recent events. The zoo was incredible! The kids and I were running around like crazy people. We were even excited to see the "North American Raccoon". I mean how exciting, the zoo in Paris has raccoons!! I am still a child in many, many ways and the enthusiasm I have for a good zoo is one of the symptoms. We were not planning on going to the zoo, but as we were leaving the Natural History Museum (I must also confess that the before mentioned museum has a much fancier French name, but that is essentially what it was) we walked right by the gate to the zoo and Jarred had to make a decision. He could choose to tell the three jumping children "no" and we would all pout the entire metro ride home, or he could buy the tickets and have a fantastic time with happy people. He made a good choice.

 

The happy people at the zoo!

 

 

A gorgeous black leopard....and some man's ear.

 

 

The kids looking at a kangaroo.

 

 

 

Then on Thursday a sweet lady that I met at bible study invited the kids and I to go to a museum and garden really close to our apartment. It is located on the bank of the Seine river and the man that started it planted gardens from different parts of the world. This time of year was amazing. The colors were impeccable (yes people I said impeccable!). The kids had a great time running and exploring. You walk out of the main museum area and the gardens just unfold in front of you. I wish I had a picture of their faces when they realized what we were about to see.

 

 

 

 

 

These pictures were all taken in the Japanese garden. By far my favorite that we actually saw. With it being nap time, we were not able to get to all the gardens. We will definitely being going back to this little gem. Most of the tourist never make time to see little gardens like this, but it has been one of my favorite places we have been to so far. I can't wait to take my mom and Jarred's mom when they visit. 

 

 

Then we went to a real Thanksgiving dinner. We were invited over to some friend's house to eat turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, macaroni and cheese, and much more. (I can now call them friends as it is Facebook official) I didn't get any great pictures from the meal because our camera died from all the garden documenting earlier in the day.

 

 

 

Until Next Time,

Megan 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Museum of Natural History

This past weekend we spent major family time!! We took the kids to the Museum of Natural History, a park, and then by total surprise...the zoo. We literally were on our way home and walked right in front of the gate and we just couldn't resist a little animal gazing. The kids had a fabulous time. Scout has never been to a zoo, ever. So, he was totally amazed by the animals at the museum that were not real then we found the zoo and he was running and screaming in excitement.

 

The french have totally nailed how to make a gorgeous museum. This was one of my favorite pictures from the Natural History Museum. The lights on the ceiling changed colors very subtly and made the atmosphere almost magical.

 

 

 

 

This place was full of animals and dinosaur bones. It has five stories and there are exhibits everywhere. We were there for several hours without anyone getting bored.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The kids were able to interact with hands on activities for most of the exhibits.

 

 

 

 

  And who doesn't need a back rub when seeing a stuffed warthog??

 

 

 

Outside of the museum was just as magical with these long courtyards.

 

 

 

 

Look at these HUGE leaves. We got to bring a big handful home with Em!!

 

And this is just half of the day! I will post later about the zoo, now I have to get on with a home school lesson about Thanksgiving.

 

 

 

 

Until Next Time,

Megan

 

 

 

 

 

 



Count Your Many Blessings

I don't have any pictures today, but I still want to document that this week has had its ups and downs with just usual mom stuff and my grandmother is having surgery today and her health is not good. But, in spite of all the worries and complaints I want to praise God for a few blessings that have been given this week. Emma has joined a children's choir (in English!!) and her first practice was yesterday. She had an awesome time!! She loved it and there were other kids in her group that were her age and she seemed to make friends easily. It is such an answered prayer for her to find an activity. Also, on the way to the practice we met a young lady that asked us for directions to the same place we were going. She was very sweet and I asked her if she was looking for a job and she said she was wanting to babysit part-time. I literally jumped up and said "I NEED a part-time sitter"! She probably thinks I am a little crazy (maybe so), but she gave me her contact information and we set up that we would correspond to set up a time to meet so that I could learn more about her and see if that is something that would work out. It may not, and I am OK with that. But, the blessings I felt by just the possibilities to have someone to help me with the kids has brightened my whole day. There have been a couple of activities that I could have taken Emma to, or Jarred and I could have gone, but we have no one to call and help with the kids. So knowing someone is available will make life so much easier on Mom. I continue to pray that the right person will be brought into our lives.

Another blessing that has raised my spirits this week is a lady's Bible study at the American church in Paris. They provide childcare so the kids got to play and have fun and I was able to visit and study with a very sweet and encouraging group of women. Most of the women are from other countries, so they have all been through what we are going through. They have already given me more information in 48 hours than I was able to muster up in 6 weeks. Thank you, thank you Jesus for putting this group in my life. I am already looking forward to next week and I pray that I can also be a blessing to the other women. I can tell you that I think they are rather intrigued with my "Southern" accent.

And last, I am so obsessed with this little produce market under our apartment. It is a few doors down, but very close. The men that work there speak very little English, but the kids and I have gone there almost daily for weeks now. (we love fruit!) We went this morning and these grown men play with the kids and peel oranges for them to eat right there. It is just a neat experience that I hope to not forget. The man gave me (yes, no pay) some herbs to keep growing in my kitchen today. It was the nicest thing anyone has done for me since I have been here. I now have a reminder of their kindness in my kitchen.

I am just trying to remember and document the little things of this experience as well as the big ones. Also, please say a little prayer for my grandmother and our entire family today. We are a big, crazy family that really, really loves each other and I so wish I was there with them today.


Until Next Time,
Megan

Weather and Shopping

What have we been up to?? The answer is NOT MUCH!! The weather most of last week, over the weekend, and so far this week is cold and rainy. And, do you know what I have discovered?? My apartment is warm and dry:) Oh, and I lost my mind in this decision to homeschool Em. Not that the trouble is with Em.The trouble is this teaching stuff is hard work. I have been holed up in this apartment reading home school blogs, reading the common core state standards, going through work book after work book to decide what we should be doing. It has been a lot of preparation and planning, then precious Em who is a little smart for her own good, is done with the work in 10 minutes. It only took me hours to plan then prepare the lesson. Thanks, Em! I really am not understanding how so many moms do this for years. I honestly cannot wait to hand these reins back over to the experts!

The one thing I have left the house for is SHOPPING!! Now I have you all pumped up, let me show you!

 

 

 

The Galleries at LaFayette

 

This place was magical! Complete with Santa Clause and Cinderella's carriage. For real, her real carriage. I know one little girl that just about died.

 

 

 

This mall was so fancy and pretty!! The only draw back that I was not pumped about was that they put the only family restroom right smack in the middle of the TOY section. Their market people are sneaky, huh. In case you were wondering, yes we left with toys. They didn't get anything big, but still Meg, grow a backbone. I know that it is only a few weeks from Christmas, but when those little eyes look up at me and say I miss my friends and my Papaws, I cave. Someone else is a little sneaky around here.

 

 

 

 

Look at this billboard at a bus stop that we found on the way home. I had to take Jarred's picture with it. You can barely see him in there, but he is on a new campaign!!! It is not my fault that one of the only indoor places that the kids and I equally enjoy is a mall. Sorry Jarred! Find your happy place:)

 

 

Until Next Time,

Megan

 

 

 

 

Le Mont Saint Michel

What have we been up to?? Well we were in Normandy for a long weekend because all of Europe is on a 2 week vacation. Jarred had a few days off work and we wanted to get out of the city. I am glad we did!! When we came in on the train Sunday afternoon, it was a MAD HOUSE!! We had tickets to ride the train, so one would think we would have seats. We didn't get to our seats and settled until the 2nd stop on the train route. That means the children and Jarred and I had to stand on a moving train with nothing to hold to for approximately 20 minutes. There were so many people and so much luggage that you could barely maneuver the aisles. Crazy!! But, we made it. We are back in Paris.

On Saturday, our last full day of vacation, we decided to drive about 2 hours north of where we were staying to visit Le Mont Saint Michel. It is an island that a temple was built on around 500-700 A.D. and you can only access at low tide. It was very cool. I have to be me and complain a little though!! It was a 30 minute walk to access from the mainland, that is there and then again back, then when you get on the island there are a gazillion steps. If this had been Jarred and I, no big deal. But, we had a 2 year old with a stroller and a 6 year old.  They really did great, with minimal melt downs and whining, but that is a lot of steps!! Jarred has stated several times that his back is sore. I have no idea why!!! On the island now there are several shops and restaurants at the bottom and as you wind upward there are small homes and hotels, then on the top is the temple with a garden sanctuary. I actually have no idea what is inside the temple because I was the one who totally bailed out on the line to go inside. Now after climbing and climbing and climbing, I just gave up and Jarred and the kids were right behind me! It was a Disney sized line on the side of a small mountain, no thank you! But, the picture showed a garden sanctuary inside, so I'll go with that.

 

Le Mont Saint Michel

November 2012

On a gorgeous day full of sunshine!!

 

 

 

 

On the island

 

 

 

Ah, did I mention some stairs??

 

 

This poor fella has 2 Mommies, one biological and one syblical (I know that is not a word people!)

 

 

 

These 2 are CRAZY!!!! I love it!!

(When I wear my red coat, we look like life savers beacuse of the bright colors! Ha!)

 

 

 

We had a great weekend on our first European excursion and I can't wait to go on many more. We do have some other mini vacations planned and we get to come HOME for Christmas. Yay!!

 

For now, Jarred is back at work and the kids and I are back on our daily trips to the market. I do laundry a lot seeing as our washing machine can wash about a towel and wash rag per load!! Emma is doing AMAZING with her home school curriculum and Scout is a pro at making everyday interesting;) Our french lessons start today and our tutor has made no secret that she is a little scared of teaching Jarred and I. I think our accents have threw her for a loop!

 

 

I am not openly opinionated about my political affiliations and I do not plan to now. However,  I wanted to document that my eyes have completely been opened about the U.S.A. and their importance to the rest of the world. (I knew this, but not on a face to face kind of way.) The kids and I have been approached in the market, at a linen shop, cheese shop, and a restaurant about being from the U.S.A.. People ask us who we voted for, what others are voting for, what will happen?? And every one of those people have looked me straight in the eye and said something very similar to "the world is watching, very important".  It has given me chills more than once that those people are seeking out information about their own future from a lady with her 2 little kids. We need to be thankful we live in a country that gives us the right to have an opinion.

 

 

 

 

Until Next Time,

Megan

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Day At The Beach

Jarred has been wanting to come to Normandy since he first arrived in France. I have heard all about it, watched 6 (yes, I said 6) History Channel Documentaries and Saving Private Ryan to get ready for this trip. So, on Thursday morning we loaded the kids up and told them we were going to "the beach". We weren't lying; and there were no Disney or Barbie movies to help us explain what we were coming to see. Oh by the way, when we told Emma we were moving to France she immediately knew all about it thanks to a Barbie movie. She knows more about the major tourist attractions of the city than Jarred and I. The girl LOVES movies!! So, back to the trip I must say that besides having to explain what a cemetery was the children were pretty much oblivious to the traumatic events that happened here so long ago. They just loved running and playing on "the beach".

This experience has been so different for both Jarred and I because we have been to national monuments and places of other battles, but this was on foreign soil and we were both able to understand the magnitude. It was so different how it felt that our soldiers were laid to rest on foreign soil. So far away from home. When you see the documentaries you have the knowledge of what happened here on June 6, 1944, but when you stand at the top of one of those cliffs and try to imagine getting up it with enemies shooting at you....it makes you speechless.

The weather did not make me speechless. It was not fun. Not Fun! I was not grouchy about it and only asked to sit in the car one time. (Go, Meg) Uh, and that is when the hail was coming so hard that it was hurting my face. But, the rest of the time the kids and I hung in there. The pictures do not show the true weather story. Today the temperature was about 45 degrees and rained with pretty high winds most of the day. And yes 2-3 times it hailed. Emma said "the sky is raining snow balls", I thought more like tiny stinging daggers, but let's go with her take on the situation. Jarred thinks I should qualify that there were a few breaks in the day with sunshine. (He is right, however, they were few and far between;)

We all had a great time, but Jarred loved it. He was so excited to see German bunkers, bomb holes, monuments, EVERYTHING. He and Scout were able to go all the way inside an enemy bunker that had tons and tons of machine gun holes. We were able to see most of the beaches were the American soldiers first landed and see the American cemetery. There was a ceremony actually taking place at the cemetery where they laid flowers on the graves with military men, the national anthem, and gun fire. It was very moving.

Tomorrow we have more to see, I really pray the weather will give us a break!

 

Pointe du Hoc

 

 

Utah Beach

 

 

Omaha Beach

 

 

 

 

Until Next Time,

Megan