Summer lovin'...

Well, the school year came to a close and summer was upon us.  As you know, we jetted off to a fun filled week in Greece and the kids did a week of art at the Grimaldi Forum.  They also did a week of tennis camp, but I didn't document that on film.  Sorry.  

So, the rest of the summer was filled with little bits of fun and finalized with two weeks in a rented house with a pool...

The view from where we live above the Port Hercules.  Summer's here, the sailboats are out in full force.

Food markets are full of summer veggies.

The International school had a big party for their students and parents, and to lure new families in.  It was pretty fun with kid's activities and lots of food booths.

If I had gotten to ride the pony too I might have been tempted to enroll... :)

Our future equestrian...

E and T take up the rear, their side won!

Monaco is of course right on the coast so it has it's own beaches, but if you don't want to do the sea, there's the pool in the Port Hercules.  It's open to the public and even has a machine at the entrance where you can buy swim suits and goggles and sun block.  Someone was thinking!  I'd say a woman was head of that committee. :)  You can rent loungers and an umbrella too if you wish.  We spent quite a few afternoons here...

And staying in the always busy Port Hercules, we watched the Jumping International competition.  It's amazing the events that get built up and torn down on a regular basis here in Port Hercules.  The only permanent fixture is the pool, and in the winter it's the ice skating rink.

You don't really even need tickets to sit in the stands, you can just stand around the ring and watch or sit in a restaurant along the ring and enjoy your lunch while watching the show.  I preferred to sit and relax, and the kids were free. :)

Then, it was August and time for a change of scenery.  Many people out here have "summer" houses and go there to get out of the "city", as if you can even call Monaco a city!  But, there is something to be said about having a little bit of lawn, and pool. and some crickets chirping.

This year it was in Bagnols en Foret, only an hour away.  It was a fun (and of course educational) two weeks!

We had water sports...

Target practice...

Track and field...

Meditation...

 Nature studies...

Cooking classes...

We splurged on a chef who cooked us dinners.  She made some yummy stuff and
even let the kids do some of the creating with her.

And Music...

Lucky for us the house had a piano, so we even added in a little culture!

Then, it was back to school.  Uggh, this is the pick-up chaos at T's school.  The kids come out of the doors on the sides of this little glass area and all the parents crush themselves in there to get them.  Of course there are better ways of doing this, but typical French, they don't care to change it.  C'est la vie...

So there you go, it's back to the daily routine.  Once I rest, I'll be back with more of the adventure soon.  .. :)