The Dragon's Lair

Thursday we took advantage of the kids having lunch at the school cafeteria to visit the Dragon's Lair. This is a stone quarry located on the front lines of the war during World War I. It was used by both French and Germans altnernately, and at one point, each side occupied part of the cavern. There are kilometers (or miles, if you prefer) of tunnels in the cavern, and the soldiers had dormitories, armories, telegraphs, common rooms, and even cemeteries in the tunnels.

Unfortunately, they didn't allow us to take pictures inside, but this is the view from the top of the ridge, towards where the French trenches were located.

After the visit to the Dragon's Lair, we had just enough time for a quick stop at the ruins of the Abbaye de Vauclair.

This was the dovecote.

A couple of friendly tourists.

Pierrefonds and Soissons

Our friend Don Mellor extended his French tour so he could come visit us for a few days. We had to juggle sightseeing around the kids' school and sports schedules, so the first full day he was here, we went to Pierrefonds, which is only about 25 minutes from our house.

The next day, Benjamin had gymnastics in Soissons, so we took advantage of that to do a walking tour of Soissons. In the drizzle.

They had these cool arrows on the ground to show us where to go on the walking tour.

Noah was good at finding them.

Except when they were missing.

I had to get creative with my angles on this one because there were two men standing near the doorway. Can't see them here!

The rain was kind enough to only pour down when we were busy doing other things like picking up Benjamin, or taking a bathroom break, and then it let up again in time for us to see another church.

Still flashing back

One set of friends spent the night on my birthday, so the fun continued the next day. Love these kids together!

Birthday Flashback

Oops, with that flashing back, I forgot to mention that I did have a birthday this year. Benjamin and Noah helped Frédéric make my cake.

I am pretty sure *this* is why Noah likes to help in the kitchen... licking the bowl. (Guess he takes after me.)

He helped fill it with chocolate, too.

It was a very, very, very chocolatey cake! Delicious, but very rich.

And as proof that I'm losing my mind as I get older... we had seventeen people in the house for my birthday dinner, eight adults and nine kids. Benjamin was very happy for me - he told me that last year I didn't have anyone over, and I should have friends over for my birthday every year so I can play and have fun.

Fall Catch-Up

We have been busy around here lately - trying to get all our social visits in before Frédéric's off-work weekends run out, among other things. So here is some catch-up news.

Two and a half weeks ago: My "internet friend" Christy and her family, who live near Annecy, came over to visit us since they were near Paris for the weekend. Her first two kids are very close in age to Benjamin and Noah, and we all had a fun time meeting "in real life" and the kids enjoyed playing together.

A week and a half ago: Some of Frédéric's cousins came over for lunch. We only see them once or twice a year, and it's always nice to catch up. The boys had a great time playing with their cousin Nina, and the weather was nice enough for a walk around the village after lunch.

Noah is as silly as ever! He came into my office like this the other day, very pleased with himself... he is wearing my "slipper-socks" that I wear in the winter over my normal socks to prevent last year's chilblain incident from repeating itself.

He started gymnastics again two weeks ago in a new club, and enjoys it. (I don't enjoy it as much since parents aren't allowed to stay and watch, boo.) 

Benjamin discovered the library two and a half weeks ago. The boys have gymnastics on Saturdays in a town about 25 minutes from our village, so we try to find other occupations for ourselves when we are out there. This is a common sight around our house these days. He has gotten so fluent in his reading in both English and French, it is hard to believe he was just starting to read this time last year!

 He has over two hours of swimming a week and three and a half of gymnastics, so he is a busy boy this year. He loves both his sports and is always proud when the swimming teacher picks him to demonstrate a stroke to the other kids in his class. 

Some other visitors: Last week, I forgot something in my car and went out to get it, only to almost step on this guy who was staring at me from right in the middle of the doorstep (and I was hoping he wouldn't decide to hop on me as I took this picture!).

His little friend was watching to see what would happen. (Look Dad, it's not just in Cambodia!)

 The lizard didn't stay too long, I guess, but the toad was still there when Frédéric got home from work several hours later. 

We have even nicer company than those two visiting us at the moment, but I'll get to that with more pictures soon!