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.  .. :)

Woody's In Town...

And I don't mean Pecker!

As Hollywood has been adding the Cote D'Azur to it's list of favorite spots to film, I'm getting a chance to hob nob with the celebs.  Last November it was "Grace of Monaco" with Nicole Kidman, Tim Roth, Parker Posy, and Robert Lindsay, to name a few.  This year it's WASP, Directed by Woody Allen and starring Colin Firth, Emma Stone, Hamish Linklater, and surprise...Marsh Gay Harden.  Her being a surprise since I had no idea she was in it until I was standing next to her on set!

So, the article came out asking for bodies and I answered the call.  I mean it IS Woody Allen for goodness sake!  I'd be a fool to miss getting to see him in action. (No matter what we think about his personal life.)

The story goes...they didn't want people with tans or colored hair.  Hahahahahahahahahahaha.  Sorry.  This is the South of France, no tans??, and with anyone over 40 you'd be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't color their hair!

So, at the casting I was initially passed aside by the young girl at the paper-drop-off table and as I proceeded to leave, the main casting lady who was scanning the crowd asked of I had gotten my picture taken (reserved only for those who passed the young girl's once over-the one who didn't feel my hair was natural enough).  I said no, the girl had said no to me, and she promptly took me inside for my picture.  Step one done, now I waited to see if I got a call.

In Greece I got my call and was scheduled for a fitting.  Yeah!  So I spent half of my holiday tucked under an umbrella hiding from the sun.  I had a good book so all was well. 

BUT....after the fitting they called and said I couldn't work with them, something about me not having a SS# for French taxes.  Well, that's CRAZY talk since being a Monaco Resident I am not required to pay French taxes and there wasn't a problem with "Grace."  Back and forth, lalalala, still a "no".  The casting lady was really nice, but just couldn't figure out how to make it work.  Well, husband to the rescue.  He doesn't let anything get in his way, especially not French Bureaucracy that makes no sense, and promptly made a call to our tax office.  Within hours I walked out of the Head of Taxes office with a letter saying I could indeed work.  (this kind of thing could only happen in Monaco!)  Done and dusted.  I sent it to them and got a call of happiness within hours.  YEAH!!  I was back on.

Costume number one...

So, off to set we went.  The Jazz club.  Once we got there they asked if anyone knew how to dance.  I said YES!, even if I wasn't sure what dance I was supposed to know how to do.  I did a sampling of my Charlston, and was sent to the stage.  Whew!  Then....to my lucky stars, Colin and Emma took their place on the dance floor, RIGHT NEXT TO ME!  Let's see them cut me out of this one.

We chatted a bit, had a couple laughs, I appologized about a hundred times for bashing into poor Colin while we danced and he claimed it was all his fault.  What a darling.  I don't think I couldn't have gotten any luckier.  Back to the hotel to change for scene number two...

Our Green Room. :)

Costume number two with a hair change.

So, back to the Jazz Club for scene number two.  I got to remain a dancer and took my spot on the dance floor.  To my surprise, now I was next to Marsha Gay Harden!!  This time I was sandwiched between Hamish, Emma, and Marsha.  We chatted a little and danced a little and that was that.  Life is good!  Not bad for a day's work.

It was quite a sight for the locals and tourists as we all moved through the streets of Old Town, Nice.  The costumes were so amazing that we must have looked like a parade when all 28 of us were walking together.

Can't wait to see if I make it to the screen! I'm not even sure what it's gonna be called so I guess, just look out for the next Woody Allen film to hit the theaters and keep your eyes peeled during the Jazz Club scenes.

This is top secret stuff, so don't go sharin... :)

Our little Picasso's...

There are tons of things for the kids to do here in Monaco.  That is, if you actually know they're happening!  I, and others I've talked to, never know what's happening until someone says, "Hey, are your kids gonna do the...", and then you find out.  It seems it's the expat curse. 

Example...the art atelier at the Grimaldi Forum.  (Thank you Kerry for telling me about this one!)

Every summer they do an art exhibit of some artist and for two weeks during the exhibit they have an art "camp" for the kids.  Two hours each morning for a week the kids get a viewing of a part of the exhibit then go do some art based on what they saw and learned, and recreate a picture. 

This year it's Picasso...

E's version...

T's version...

E's version...

T's version...

E's version...

T's version.

At the end of the week they all worked on a big mural for the lobby of the Grimaldi Forum.

E's two contributions.  She worked with the teacher to create these on the Left.

T's fish and goblet he worked on with another boy.

Looks proud of his work!

The art pieces in the exhibit were from a private collection from someone living here in Monaco.
Of course. :)

An American Classic in Nice...

OMG, right here in Nice!  WE FOUND IT!!  And it's super cute.

After searching for true breakfast food American style, we have found someone who does it, and not too badly.  Mario at the Kililie's cafe in Nice.  He does a weekend brunch buffet from 10:30 til 3pm.

Now Bouchon let me down, but Kililie's has restored my faith.  Check it out...

Awww, old records as place mats.  A good recycling plan.

They have a buffet of fruits, muffins, hard boiled eggs, french toast and blueberry pancakes,
and that's before they bring out the other plate...

...had no idea this was gonna be paced in front of me!

Yummy!

Is maple syrup a true classic?  I think so, can't do breakfast without it in my opinion. :)

I can't really complain about any of the food and the service was super.  For three adults and two children we only spent 87 euros!  You can also order things from the menu, J had a massive cheese burger with fries and a chocolate milk shake, or go for the breakfast buffet as the rest of us did.  The buffet is only 20 euros and they split one between the kids for us.  Super sweet, thanks Mario.

I highly suggest a visit if you're in town and craving some good 'ole American diner food.  Which I fully believe you will!

As this is the closest we've gotten besides the over priced and mediocre food of Stars and Bars in Monaco, this will most likely be a weekly visit for us!  Hold our table Mario...

(If you're planning a vist to Chicago, you MUST go to the West Egg Cafe.  It's the best!)