An Expat Adventure

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Oh, the Lazy Days of Winter...

As life goes on everywhere in the world, so it goes here in Monaco. We may have better weather, usually, than in other places, and well manicured streets, but it still RAINS!!!!!! And by that I mean non-stop for three weeks, then a day of sun, then three more weeks non-stop. Whew, I really am thinking there may have been a time when someone actually did need to build a boat and save mankind and the animals.

But that's NOT what this post, or blog is about. Besides, I'm on the side of Bill Nye the "Science Guy."

Ok, so what is this post about??? Those days in between the rain and some during the rain. Here's how we spent our time....

It's Carnaval time around here so it's the annual Carnaval Parade of cute school kids through the park...

We took advantage of a sunny day after Christmas to test out the new bikes...T took to it really fast.

Just gotta work on stopping.

E had a swim exhibition where they showed off all the swim classes of Monaco. Even the Prince and Princess made an appearance. Since she's an ex-Olympian swimmer this is her baby.

That's E in the pink suit and red hat...

Ready...

Set...

Go...

Is the Prince really waving at me??? Actually it was at Taylor, I think. :)

Giving T and his friend next to him a little "hello".

Now she has a medal of her own.

Last Sunday was a surprise sunny day after a whole week of rain so we jumped in the car with the bikes and headed out somewhere, anywhere, and it ended up being a cute little town North of Monaco and into France called Sospel...

A cool tunnel through a huge hill, or maybe a small mountain...whichever, it was cool.

Second time for both of them riding. T's got the riding part down, just having trouble
starting and stopping. Figured the soft ground would help!

After ten minutes, she got it. Here she comes....

there she goes.

And lastly, T had his second gymnastics exhibition for the Silver level.

Well done little man!

And there you have it, life goes on.

Although, I shouldn't complain about rain when many of my states family and friends are digging themselves out daily from snow drifts. Stay strong, spring is around the corner!

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

An English Christmas...

After enjoying a little of Monaco's Christmas fair, we headed off to London to spend Christmas there. The brother in law and his clan were in from Australia so we thought we should take the opportunity to see them.

It's funny for me sometimes. Growing up in America, people came in from another state just next door, or a few came over for the holidays. Here, we come over from another country. Sometimes the trip is the same distance as the states, but with different languages and customs and time zones. Anyway....

Here's the show...

Monaco's annual Christmas Village/Fair...

Kids in bubbles, love it.

E got to do a little craft project with an elf.

T got a little nervous up so high on the Ferris wheel.

But some cotton candy helped.

Ah, I feel better too.

It's not a Fair without a band of instrument wielding Santas.

Or hugging penguins.

Next...Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, London. Now that's a Christmas Fair!! Food, gifts stalls, rides, shows, you can spend days here and never tire of it.

T's really gotten into the shooting games. Not a bad shot actually!
Takes after his American Grandpa. :)

This one is T and I in the front carriage. Wow! quite a coaster.
Both of us had jelly legs afterward.

Now it's a slightly, and I mean slightly, smaller one for E.
That's us, front of the car again. And once again, jelly legs!!

Being in such a small car with no real sides it was a bit scary.
I was surprised E was considered big enough. And actually, she wanted
to go again. That's my girl!

Now off to Harrods...