July 1, 2013

Run Forrest Run

I had to write about the awesome day we had yesterday with the kids. It all started with me debating whether I should run a race or not. The race was at the Chateau Versailles and they had a 15k, 8k, 3k for teenagers and 400M for kids. For those of you who know me really well, you know I often sit debating things forever and then finally make a decision. Well late Saturday afternoon I decided to run the 8k. I could run the 15k but was in no shape to race it, so I decided to do the 8k. I also signed both Lance and Peyton up for the 400M.

Running races in France is not the easiest thing, you must have a written note from a doctor for medical clearance. This is for every race. Luckily I had taken care of that weeks ago but reading the instructions the kids also needed medical clearance. I just figured it was a typo. What doctor is going to write a child a note for road races.

We woke up that day, facing the normal challenges of getting kids dressed and out the door. We took the train to Versaiille and proceeded to look for where to pick up our race numbers. Now remember everyone is speaking French here. We managd to have one guy tell us in broken English that we were out of luck and no race numbers were being handed out because you were supposed to pick them up the day before. However, we didn't give up. We have learned if you ask the same question twice you will likely get a different answer. So we did and we found where to get our numbers. The gentleman collected my doctor clearance and asked for the children's. I looked at him with a "are you crazy look" and he just gave me their numbers without the doctor clearance. Yeah.. first accomplishment of the day, numbers.

My race was first and I did really well. It was a beautiful race around the gardens and on some single track trails and I won some great prizes.

At the start line.. We were all turned the other way looking at the jazzercise going on.

The kids had a blast. While waiting for their race we saw jesters on stilts, a knight doing all kinds of tricks with fire and the kids also just enjoyed the canal while feeding the fish and ducks.

The Jesters on stilts.  Lance was loving them. — The Jesters on stilts. Lance was loving them.

It was now race time for the kids. Prior to all the races there were exercise woman doing Jazzercise so the kids wanted to do the same before theirs. They were so funny and so excited. Lance was ready to go fast! Peyton was going to run as long as the guys on stilts and the knight weren't around . There were so many kids , it was so cute to see all of them running (there were many heats).

They both did great, Lance ran his little heart out. See the picture, my boy has great form. Keith ran with Peyton the whole way and he said she just kept going as fast as she could. I just loved watching them run thru the finish line. What I was so happy to see is that in this race they had them go thru the finish line area, get their medals, collect their food bag and then prizes (a new book). It was just like a grown up race and they felt it. They were so happy to take part in the day. I am so glad I signed them up.

This day wasn't about me doing my race but it was about how much fun the kids had and how they enjoyed the fun of fitness as much as Keith and I do.

It was a great day!!!

Enjoying some ice cream after a good race.

June 29, 2013

Fun, Busy week

by Alicia Demmerle

It has been a busy week and I love it!!!

It started with a wonderful visit with our friends from our old neighbor in West Grove, PA. The Slezaks took a vacation in Paris and we were lucky enough that they took time out of their busy schedule to come by for dinner. Unfortunately I did not cook a 4 course meal but just pizza, wine and beer. It was so great to catch up with them and it was awesome that all the kids played as if they had known each other for years. It was a great night!!

The following day we were invited to watch Peyton's old school year-end performance. We did it thru Tango and it worked awesome. It was so great to see how all her friends were dancing and singing. We were also extremely touched that they made a wonderful poster with pictures of Peyton and BonJour on it. We just love her teachers, Miss Cris, Miss Diana and Miss Renu.

The next day was equally as special. Lance's old Pre-K class was having their year end performance and we used Tango once again to skype in. It was such a great performance and his old class performed a special act for Lance. It actually brought me in tears when they all held up "Lance masks" and sang Frera Jacques for him. It was so special and he was so happy. It is so amazing to see all these kids grow up and off to Kindergarten, most of them we have known since they were little babies. My friend Sharon sent me pictures of the performance. I love the one of her daughter Molly, also Lance's best friend, with the Lance mask in her hands with a big smile. Truly priceless.

During this week I also was invited by my friend Lindsay to go to a cooking class. It was a blast. The class was a good mixture of French and English speaking people so at the beginning the chef just spoke French but then translated everything into English. We mad a wonderful fish dish with vegetables, which just seemed so easy to make. Why does it seem so much easier when you are in the class, then you come home and you are just dazed and confused? The good thing was that after we made it we all sat down and ate the meal with wine and desert. In France there is always wine :-). It was so much fun and I am sad that my new friend is moving back to the states next week. I guess that is what happens when you are expats, I am sure I will experience a great deal of that in the next 3 years.

We also had the end of year performance for our Bilingual School we attend here in Paris. I had been told that the school goes all out for the year end and they weren't kidding. The performance was full of beautiful costumes and wonderful dancing. The theme was about different countires around the world. Lance represented Greece and Peyton represented China. Their costumes were awesome. Poor Peyton had a little stage fright but she just looked so darn pretty in her outfit. Lance did a wonderful job with his singing and dancing and since it is a bilingual school they sang in both english and french. At the end of the show the entire school performed a theme song for their school (in French and English). In just the two months Lance and Peyton have done very well, Keith and I are impressed with just how much French they picked up in a short amount of time.

In between all this we needed to find a place to get the kids a haircut. Keith found a barber-like shop to bring Lance and I brought Peyton to a salon. Peyton was so cute, it was only her second time getting a haircut and she was awesome. A young French guy asked her if she was ready and she went with him no problem. After the haircut she told me how handsome the guy that cut her hair was. Daddy was not happy to hear this..LOL!!! Not looking forward to her teenage years.

Besides the children's activities there was also a wonderful get together within our building, which gave us a chance to meet a great deal of our neighbors. They are all wonderful and it was amazing to hear where each of them were from and what they do. They were also nice enough to speak to us in English, but we promised them that in a few years we will be able to speak in French to them.

The next night we attended dinner at a colleagues of Keith's and it was so nice. We were a bit worried bring Lance and Peyton to his colleagues who's children are grown and out of the house. All day I kept telling them they had to be on their best behavior. The dinner was a 4 course meal and it was wonderful. The kids did well and thank God for the ipad. They just excused themselves after they had dinner and keep occupied with a movie while we chatted. It was a nice evening. Their apartment had a view of the Eiffel Tower and a highlight for the kids was seeing it all lit up. The negative is that it meant it was way too late. The sun doesn't set until 10pm here. It was a struggle getting up for their last day of school the next morning.

So then the last day of school came and because the kids were only there a short time it was not so detrimental as leaving their old school in the states and not so upsetting for Keith or I either. Everybody was right when they say how resilient children are. In another week they will start yet another school and will be there until we leave

The last thing was a wonderful evening with our new friends that are leaving to go back to the states this week. We really enjoyed meeting Lindsay, Parker and their children. We wish them all of the best and hope to keep in contact them.

Time for sleep, I am going to try to do a race in the morning.

Thanks to everyone for reading.

Life is good in Paris!!!

Lance's old classmates holding up a picture of him!! Made me cry!

Peyton had a little stage fright but looked sooo pretty!!!

Out to dinner with our new friends that are heading back to the States this week....bummer!!!

June 17, 2013

Father's day

by Alicia Demmerle

It was a great Father's day weekend in Paris.

I kept telling Keith it was his entire weekend, because he deserved it, of course he wouldn't have it that way. So with the great weather we went to Disney on Saturday and had a great time. We discovered the Disney Village which includes a Starbucks, Planet Hollywood, The Rainforest Cafe and many more American restaurants. So the children had a great day at the park and Keith and I had fun at the restaurants. One of the big highlights was Lance meeting Mickey Mouse and the kids going on the teacup ride with me. Keith refused to go on it (the spinning).

For Father's Day the kids were excited to finish baking and decorating Daddy's cake. I was able to find all the ingredients and it came out pretty good.

Keith late in the day decided that he wanted to head up to Sacre Coeur Basilica, which is a church high up the hills of north Paris. To get there you can either take a train, gondola or climb the stairs. Of course we decided to climb the stairs, (so glad I did a long run in the morning, my legs were Jello by the end) Lance was a trooper and did them all. Peyton, not so much. Keith and I took turns with the heavier load and it was well worth it, once we got up there, what a site. It was beautiful looking over Paris. The inside of the Church was equally as beautiful, (unfortunately we couldn't take pictures inside)

The Sacre Coeur Basilica is in the Montmartmartre area, which is the red light district of Paris. We loved walking down the little streets (found another cupcake shop). We also hit the place du Tertre, where there are dozens of aritists just waiting to draw or paint your portrait. Keith and I didn't have it done this time but we said before we leave paris we will have the kids portrait done.

Unfortunately we didn't get to the Moulin Rouge, the kids were spent. We will be back.

Father's day ended with a fun dinner, desert and Keith watching the US Open thru live stream on the computer. He was so excited that he could watch it. We stayed up as late as we could routing for Phil, but we finally had to get to sleep. Unfortunately we woke up to not so great news regarding the outcome.

This day of course brought many feelings of my dad. I think about him all the time. I tell the kids all about him and how he is in heaven with their grandpa Demmerle. Oh how I miss him.

Things have been getting better in general, heading into summer, which includes visitors, vacation and a new school for the children.

We continue to just try new and exciting things and places with the kids. I have included pictures from Father's day and just random photos thru the last two weeks. Enjoy!

So..

Life is good in Paris!!

this is only one small section of stairs we climbed

If you look closely you can see the portraits.

happy boy meeting Mickey!  look at that smile! — happy boy meeting Mickey! look at that smile!

Mommy went on the teacups with Lance and Peyton (daddy passed on this ride)

Lance having a good time with Max at the Park.

Enjoying the boats at the Jardin du Luxenburg.

Peyton with her new french friend.  The boy didn't speak a lick of English and both didn't care.  It was the cutest thing ever. — Peyton with her new french friend. The boy didn't speak a lick of English and both didn't care. It was the cutest thing ever.

Lance busting a move to some country music we had blasting!