France with Nana

Nana came to visit and we decided to take her somewhere we've all wanted to visit, Mont St. Michele. Our trip turned out to be quite an art tour.

Our first stop was in Rouen, which is famous for its cathedral that Monet painted over and over. . .

We arrived after a long day of driving and we were all very very hungary. I asked the security man at the department store to suggest a good restaurant. It wasn't quite 7:00 PM so most of the restaurants weren't open. He told me to go a few blocks to a creperie. I wasn't sure what we'd find-a place to sit down or a concession stand. It turned out to be the highlight meal of the trip. At least for me! I order a crepe with raclette cheese and potatoes topped with a generous portion of cured ham. The pickles on the side were nabbed by Elsa before I could get them on my fork. It's probably what she has in her mouth when the picture was taken. Delicious!! And the waiter brought out the most generous cups of hot cocoa to warm our chilled selves.

I love the reminders all around me that we live in a very old country. Going to the bathroom felt like a trip to the medieval past. The bathroom itself was very modern and clean.

HELP!

When I logged it in says I have six followers, so I'm expecting at least six comments. More are surely welcome.

The dilemma part 1: We live in a cold climate and Elsa is skinny.

The dilemma part 2: Elsa wears two jeans skirts and tights every day.

The dilemma part 3: Elsa chooses clothes, I buy them and she won't wear them.

Why do I buy them? I don't want her to freeze on the playground.

Well. . . yeah everyone who knows me knows I'm also obsessed with children's clothing.

In my own defense, I've really cooled my jets. I let her choose what she wants to wear every day, and I rarely make a fuss. I've also recognized that she has her own ideas about clothes, and haven't gone overboard buying.

In her defense, she dresses appropriately for different occasions (school, church, dress-up). Maybe she isn't cold, and I'm just a worrier.

Back to the dilemmas.

The problem is mine and not hers. Right?

Two jean skirts every day with tights. Fine. Fine?

Really I just find it really really boring.

SO. . .

Do I feed her passion and avoid my boredom and just buy the girl denim skirts?

Not really such a big problem is it?

*Loved hearing from everyone!! I returned Elsa's new Hello Kitty jeans and bought a new denim skirt. She wore it three days in a row. I washed it and she's wearing it again. I'm glad I have a girl who knows what she likes!

The Cravings

It is strange being pregnant in a different country. The easy go to foods that you rely on to get you through the first few months aren't there. Fast food chains find their real purpose.

Then I remembered-France has Subway.

We traveled 45 minutes to enjoy a Fall day and have lunch eating an American sandwich.

Lovely.

I'm sure I've posted a couple of times about the charms of Annecy. They haven't changed.

Henry and Ansel

It was a wonderful afternoon. I devoured an entire foot long, and was tempted to pick up another on the way home.

I left satisfied.

Halloween

I've always thought it ironic how our church embraces the Halloween Party. We love it. As well we should. I understand the backlash by some and in certain parts to suffocate the pagan tradition. They mistake fun and frivolousness with darkness and attempt to replace the whole event with leaves and gourds. Sad. However, some of us recognize it as a chance to enjoy an evening with many many friends and neighbors. It's a great opportunity to invite those who wouldn't normally accept an invitation to visit our church.

In Geneva it's big. Halloween as a whole is expanding over here. This year I noticed even more products in the store than last. Even my little Coop was selling jack-o-lantern cookie cutters. Halloween rolls on. Pockets of neighborhoods even trick-or-treat! I'm glad for this. My kids embrace any opportunity to disguise themselves as a super-hero or a villain. They've been planning and scheming since August.

Sam and Henry (he's a vampire)

Elsa with her favorite devil, Parker.

Ansel as Wyatt from "Super Why."

Greg stole the show with his Secret-Service get up. You'd have thought the President himself were there.
To stave off the excitement before the party started, we got out the face paints. Henry painted Ansel. Daddy painted Elsa. Ansel and Elsa painted daddy.
Notice how much more surface area you can cover on his head!

Breakfast on the Farm

It is a tradition around these parts for the local farms to prepare brunch from their harvest. Since we've moved here I've wanted to go.

The reservations were finally secured, thanks to our good friends the Trogers. The morning of I was too sick to get out of bed and Henry was too devastated about his haircut. We missed out.

Greg, Ansel, Elsa, the Troger family and their G'pa had a terrific time.

Aimee, baby Luke and papa Charlie

Ansel and Jacob

Jacob, Elsa and Claire

Greg and Ansel

He at least brought us home some fresh produce.

Next time, I'm there.