When we looked for an apartment back in April, there was a question of why no one has an air conditioner???? Do we need one??? We were told absolutely not, not needed and no one in Paris has one, or I should say very few people have one. Well it is July and all those people were wrong, it is hot in Paris….and humid...and you do need one. This past week has been brutal (95 degrees). We've been walking around with no energy because it are so hot. Getting no sleep because both you and your children are just sweating, even with fans blowing on them. Keith and I remember back when we were younger when neither of us had air conditioning. Not in our houses or cars. I specifically remember being at my grandmother Beers' and sitting under the big tree in her yard for shade. We have become spoiled and I miss being spoiled. After a week we received a break today with the heat but it is due to return in the next day, hotter than it was last week.....great!

Nate was here visiting and thanks to his love for James Bond, he directed us to really cool places. One which included Chateau Chantilly. It was beautiful. Beautiful grounds and beautiful gardens and I loved the Chateau. However, the main attraction was the live horse museum. The kids loved seeing the horses and we got there just in time to see a live show. We were so excited we caught the show until the show continued on and on. After 90 minutes and an angry french woman sitting in front of us we were ready to go. We figured no one knew us so we just snuck out the side. Just think of it as a really bad circus show, that wouldn't stop. That side show didn't kill our spirits, we ended up getting some ice cream with Chantilly cream and sat on the gardens of the Chateau to enjoy.

That Sunday was La Fête Nationale, also known to Americans as Bastille Day. We decided to see what the Parade was like and found that we don't ever have to go to it again. It was just a bunch of military walking down the Champs-elysees. We checked the box. The coolest thing was the fly over of pretty much all of their airforce. But then came the night when the best thing occurred, the once a year fireworks at the Trocadera, which is the park across the river from the Eiffel tower. That did not disappoint, we went down to the Seine, blocks away so we didn't have to deal with the crowd. It was great!!! My poor Lance fell asleep before they started. They didn't start until 11pm, as that is when darkness falls around here in the summer. He will have to wait til next time.

Then it was my birthday...woohoo!!! I love my birthday and I have to say my husband always makes it extra special...he's the best. First he bought me tickets to Moulin Rouge for dinner and a show. Unfortunately he had to stay home with the kidlets. Thanks to Nate for being my date that night, we had a great time. The dinner was great, with a bunch of funny lounge singers belting out some old 80's music and the show was soo good. I have never experienced a real Vegas showgirl performance and this was what I would picture that to be…only better. My favorite part was the CAN CAN....just loved it. It was also interesting that not all the girls were topless, it was kind of spiratic, kind of curious how that works.

Along with the show tickets Keith and the kids got me some beautiful cupcakes, flowers and an electric grill (just like a George Foreman). Plus my hubby took the day off and he, Nate and I went to the top of the Eiffel tower. We decided to walk the stairs since the elevator ride was so crowded. It wasn't bad at all taking the stairs. Unfortunately we didn't get all the way to the top, only to the second level. They closed the top section due to congestion. We will just have to go back.

What made it an even better day was hearing from all my best friends and family.

I do admit one of my favorite gifts was from my mother-in-law. It is something I can get in France but only in small quantities at a very steep price.....Skippy peanut butter. She mailed two jars of it to me...YEAHH!!!!

Then came the day we had to say goodbye to Nate, the kids, Keith and I had such a blast with him. I have to admit it also made us feel a little bit more like we were home. Thanks Nate, we can't wait til you come back.

Then came the event my husband has been waiting for...The Tour de France. The last day is always in Paris, taking laps around the Champs-elysees and this year was a night finish. We found a great spot, only a few people in front of us, and we loved it. It was amazing just how fast these guys go, on cobblestone. The crowds in Paris were crazy for it, people hanging from trees, and partying on rooftops. The British were out of their mind excited since the winner was from the UK. Such an experience, we already can't wait for next year!!

Aside from all that excitement we have been enjoying everything else about summer. We found a great pool for the kids. The French are great swimmers (remember the olympics) so there are pools in every arrondissment in Paris. They are open to everyone for just a few euros. We have also discovered why european men always wear speedos or spandex swimsuits in the US. They are not allowed to wear anything else when swimming in France. When you go to a Parisian pool the boys can not wear baggy swim suits. The good thing is we already knew about this so we went out and bought lance little tri shorts just like daddy's. I still have to find out the reasoning for this rule, not sure I ever will.

The kids have also been enjoying their Holiday Language Camp, where they learn french in the morning and do fun activities in the afternoon. The camp is at the international school they will be attending in the fall and they have really enjoyed it. It also reassured me that we made the right choice with this school. It is wonderful and the kids have already met some of the kids they will be in school with next year, along with learning the ins and out of their school. During the camp they go on at least one class trip a week and I have had the opportunity to chaperone some of their trips. The first one included an exhibit at the Royal Palais, called Dynamo. Reading the name you would think it would have to do with Dinosaurs. I as well as many of the parents thought that. Nope, it was an exhibit on illuminations, which was awesome. The kids really enjoyed it and so did I. The next trip was to the Monet museum, which again, I loved. The negative was that it was on one of the hottest days so far and with no air conditioning the kids were losing interest fast. I just hope Lance and Peyton absorbed just a little bit of culture there, which I think they did. Lance kept whispering to me how bored he was. Next week they are taking a trip to the chocolate museum, you can bet that I am making sure I am a chaperone for that one. I will keep you posted.

It has been a busy few weeks and we are looking forward to August.

Thanks for Reading! (lots of pictures to follow)

Life is good in Paris!!! :-)

Max trying to get the only breeze in the house....poor hound!

Daddy taking a break (from the heat or the kids...not sure)

cupcakes for my birthday.. my hubby is the best.

Enjoying the top of the Eiffel tower on my b'day.

Lance and his camp class enjoying some art.

Kids learning about Monet at the Monet museum.

Daddy and his girl on a beautiful night.

Beach volleyball in Paris?  Can't beat that backdrop! — Beach volleyball in Paris? Can't beat that backdrop!