The cousins meet.....

This is Samuel's cousin Eila feeding him his bottle

Julia, James, Eila and Samuel taken while they were skyping Grandma Moya.

The cousins.  Color coordinated wardrobes?

Julia's brother James, his wife Astrid and their 6 year old daughter Eila visited over the weekend.  Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate.  Snow actually was falling on Saturday, No accumulation but snow did fall from the sky.

The weather did break long enough for Eila and Samuel to go to the Bois de Bologne and feed day old baguette to the ducks.  James and Julia called it a social science experiment.

Good day and bad day......(again)....

First, the good news.  Samuel and I went to the market this morning and we went to our usual produce vendor and we were greeted not only with a smile and a "Ca va", we were also greeted with a handshake.  It is my understanding that a handshake is equivalent to Tu'ing someone(For those of you that do not speak French(this includes me).  The French have a formal and an informal you, vous (formal) and tu (informal).

When you are Tu'ed you have been accepted by the person doing the tu'ing

Now for the bad part of the day.  Samuel and I went out in the afternoon to do some Christmas shopping in the St. Michel area, very tacky touristy stuff.  To get there we had to change metros.  Well, we departed our train at Chatelet station and proceeded to leave the station.  Only after I was standing on the sidewalk did I remember that we needed to change trains not leave the station.  We had to return to the station and use another ticket to get to the train we needed.  

A good part of the day was that we were successful in purchasing quite a few Christmas presents for family.

Now, the really disturbing part of the day.  On our return we were planning on changing trains again and going to an English store in the 16th to look for items that we need to prepare Thanksgiving dinner.  We needed to change at the Charles de gaulle etoile.  We departed the train, and, proceeded to depart the station.  Good news is that Samuel had his first close look at the Arc d'triomphe.  However, we were not supposed to exit the station.  At this point it was getting near Samuel's food time and we decided to return to the apartment.

Neither Julia or I have been sleeping well.  I hope that a lack of sleep is all that was behind my "sleepwalking" through the metro stations today.

James, Astrid and Eila are arriving on Friday for a quick weekend visit.  On Tuesday my parents arrive for American Thanksgiving.

For those of you in America,  I am currently watching Highlander on Orange TV.  It is just as good in French.  I have yet to see an episode set in Paris broadcast.

This had to happen eventually....

I believe my nomination for father of the year took a major hit today.

Before anyone panics, Samuel is fine.  As for me, I am not sure.

There is not easy way to admit it other than just write it.  Samuel fell off the couch today.  It is about a 12 inch drop onto a hardwood floor.  He is fine.  The floor is fine.

He was taking a nap on the couch while I worked on the computer and the next thing I knew I heard a loud thud.  Samuel had silently woken up and rolled off the couch.

Okay, start the cyber yelling. I deserve it.  I am seriously disappointed in myself. I know these things will happen but it is disturbing when someone puts all his trust in you and you let them down.

-Dave, AKA bad dad

Samuel's room

These are pictures of Samuel's decorated room.  It is a safari theme.  I know the pictures do not show a great amount of details.  If you want to see the details you should come for a visit.

Same day(continued)......

Samuel has been napping since he ate his lunch.

While were at the Carreau this morning we saw our first christmas display.  Tacky christmas items in Paris?

While we were walking home we noticed 4 women and their children passionately staring into a store front.  As we walked past we saw that the store was being converted into a toy store.

The weather is nice today so when Samuel awakens we will walk to a store called La Ferme(the farm) which supposedly stocks american and british items.  We have been to the two best known American stores in Paris and they are well stocked but exorbitantly priced.  A snickers bar cost 5 euros.  Ouch!

-Dave

Good day and bad day......

Apologies for not posting updates of our daily activity.  Will try to be more diligent in the future.

Samuel and I went shopping this morning.  first to Monoprix where we were able to find evaporated milk for making pumpkin pies for American Thanksgiving.  Had the usual incidents of people being rude.  I have developed a retort which i hope is keeping me sane.  When someone does something terribly rude;this morning Samuel and I were standing in front of the butter section and a woman came up and stood directly in front of us, so close that the back of her head was in Samuel's face.  She did not immediately take anything off the shelf and move on.  She stood in front of us for at least 15 seconds.  When something like this happens I tell Samuel not to worry he will not grow up to be a Parisian.  I say it loud enough for the person to hear me.  Unfortunately, I have to say it English.  Hopefully, soon I will be able to say it in French.

I know it is immature to do what I do but I need to let the frustration out and pushing people would just end up with Samuel and I in jail.  I do feel better for having vented.

The rest of the morning was very good.  We were out for only 45 minutes and we went to Monoprix the Carreau(an indoor covered market) and the florist.  We were able to do all this and be out less than 45 minutes.

I was assertive at the Carreau:something I usually am not when dealing with the French, when the vendor started to give me small potatoes when I had asked for 'plus grande". We need plus grande as we are attending the American Church's multicultural couples Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday and we have volunteered to bring mashed potatoes and .........drum roll ...................... Jello Salad.  Yes!!!!!!!!

Samuel is hungry.  Time for apple.  Papa will also have to change his shirt.

Will post more later today.

TTFN

-Dave

Guy Fawkes, the French version

Above are pictures taken during the Standard Athletic Clubs Guy Fawkes celebration.  I am very depressed that Samuel's first exposure to fireworks was in celebrating an English holiday observed in France.  I will never be able to live down the shame. ;)

The club did their best to stage a proper event but the mostly French staff was lacking in experience.  The bon fire was small and poorly designed.  It was 9 pallets stacked on top of each other, with paper stuffed between the pallets.  They attempted to light the paper with long matches.  Unfortunately it was a cold, wet and windy evening.  As they lit one spot, left to light another, the previous spot slowly died. Eventually someone threw a flammable liquid onto the embers and the bonfire was ignited.  According to my British wife a faux pas of major importance was observed as the Guy Fawkes effigy began to burn and fell off the bonfire onto the ground.  Very, very bad manners.  

The club is a very nice club.  Tennis courts, soccer pitches, swimming pools, a nice clubhouse.

Unfortunately, it is located in Meudon, a suburb south of Paris.  It has no nearby train, bus or RER service.  If we wanted to be join we could only attend events on weekends.  They do offer kids play and exercise classes during the week but Samuel and I would not be able to attend.

The club did offer fireworks after the bonfire.  The fireworks themselves were better than I expected(but my expectations were very low). However, for some unknown reason, the fireworks were set off to a soundtrack of what sounded like a Madonna dance-mix.  Very distracting and disturbing while watching fireworks with children running around.

We spent part of today decorating Samuel's room(Thank you, Beth & Bob).  Pictures will be posted soon, not only of Samuel's room but of the apartment as we are almost moved in.  

-Dave