Fall break also means more Astérix

We figured we ought to get as much use out of our Parc Astérix passes as possible, so the boys and I went to the park again this week while they were on fall break. The weather was pretty cooperative, and the crowds weren't bad.

The park was all Halloweened up.

School break = baking

The boys are on fall break right now, so Noah got busy in the kitchen and made us baguettes. Yum!

Geocaching in Villers-Cotterêts

We had some nice weather this weekend, so asked friends to meet up in the park in town. One friend went one better and offered to take us geocaching in the park. We happily agreed, and met up in the park near the castle of Villers-Cottêrets to go hunting geocaches together.

Benjamin, always ready for a photo

Noah found one!

We found lots of mushrooms in the forest.

War memorial in the forest

Lots & lots of mushrooms!

Swimming Pool Inauguration

The municipal pool where the boys swim had its locker room and entryway renovated last year. They officially inaugurated it this year, so the boys and their teammates were invited to swim a small race for the local officials.

Noah warming up

Benjamin warming up

Noah during his 100-meter medley

Benjamin during his 100-meter medley

Bilingual Monkeys and Franco-American Museum

In September, we had the great fortune to welcome Adam Beck, of the website Bilingual Monkeys, to our house for a short stay during his trip through Europe as he works on his next book, based on interviews with bilingual families.

Adam and I met online a few years ago through his website, and have stayed in touch. I had the pleasure of reading early copies of his first three books, Maximize Your Child's Bilingual Ability, a helpful guide for parents with practical advice, How I Lost My Ear, a hilarious novel for children (or adults!), and I Want to Be Bilingual, a cute, fun book for new bilingual parents about the advantages of raising a bilingual child - from the baby's point of view.

The boys were in school during his visit, and Frédéric was at work, so Adam and I visited the Franco American Museum in Blérancourt, which re-opened in 2017 after extensive renovations. The castle, built in the early 1600s, was later used by Anne Morgan and the CARD volunteers to help the French during and after World War I. The museum now traces the shared history and friendship of France and the United States through the years.

 We snapped some quick photos before the boys left for school Thursday morning, and before Adam took the train for Paris for the next leg of his trip.