Choir Concert: Round One

Claire and Gabriel had their first choir concert of the year on Friday, March 23rd. Tom and Francoise came into Paris to attend the concert, and Patrick (a family friend) and his two nephews came as well. On the program: Brahms (first video), Poulenc, Prokofiev (second video), and Connesson. It was excellent! 

"Geistliches Lied" by Brahms

"Alexandre Nevski" by Prokofiev

After the concert, we all went to have dinner
at a typical Parisian Brasserie.

First Day Of Spring

Happy Spring everyone! As it is our first spring in Paris, we decided to have a picnic after class. We had been looking forward to doing this for a long time after the several weeks of Siberian Winter (literally, a Siberian wind blew over the continent in February. We froze.).

But now the sun is shining, the birds are singing (no parakeets in Paris yet, just give them time), and we are pulling out the dresses, shorts and sunglasses. We took advantage of the heat, and spent the whole afternoon in the Jardin du Luxembourg which is right by our school. We had a nice lunch and although it was our most sincere intention to study, we did not. Claire is now expecting a 0/20 on her German conjugation test...

Ich Habe Nicht Studiert

Thanks, Mama Lois, for sending the sunglasses!

Bon Appetit!

Buds on the Trees - Spring has Sprung

Jordan found the best technique yet to
crack hard boiled eggs: his watch!
Genius.

Pigeons and Parakeets

 

While on our trip to Brussels, we were walking to go have lunch with Claire’s mom at a Vietnamese restaurant called "The Sunflower" (super delicious). On the way we spotted dozens of bright green parakeets mingling among a flock of pigeons. Claire and her mom passed by as if it was no big deal seeing the bizarre mix of birds (they have been a common sight throughout Brussels for years now), but Jordan had to stop and take a picture of the scene.

Claire and Francoise say that there are two myths that surround the existence of these birds in the Belgian capital. 

• First legend: during the Universal Exhibition of 1958, there was a greenhouse in which the birds were living. After the exhibition was finished and while the greenhouse was being dismantled, the parakeets accidentally escaped and have been procreating all over the city ever since.

• Second legend: the parakeets were the subject of a scientific experiment and one day, a scientist had closed the cage but mistakenly left it unlatched. It didn't take the birds long to make their escape, flying out an open window. After the laboratory finally managed to recapture the birds, the population of Brussels had become accustomed to seeing parakeets out and about and mobilized to prevent further experiments on the birds, allowing them to live freely in the city.

Regardless of which story is true, one thing is certain: it's pretty dang weird seeing these birds flying around the city, chirping super loudly, and bossing the pigeons around like nobody's business.
 


One of their HUGE nests

A Belgian Getaway

We have been back in school for over two weeks, after a wonderful break in Brussels. We did not do much (which is exactly what we had in mind!) aside from lounging at Claire's parents' house, sleeping, eating, and walking around the streets of the city. Zoe made the trip with us, she is now a pretty international kitty as this was her third time in Brussels.

Thalys (red train) Was Our Means of Travel
Gare du Nord (Paris)

Cafe Belga

Cafe Belga - We had drinks here with our friend Maite

Les Etangs d'Ixelles

Best Place for Eating Authentic Belgian Fries!
(20+ different sauces!)

 

Jordan insisted on having one of these waffles...
 Now Claire wishes she had too

La Grand Place - A Must



We had dinner at a typical Belgian restaurant
with friends, Jeanne & Simon

While we were out taking advantage of the city,
Queen Zoe had no trouble making herself at home.

A Little Less City in the Heart of Paris

Today we decided to take advantage of our official first day of vacation. We started with  the movie theatre to see The Iron Lady (really good!). We then went on a big walk to the Buttes Chaumont park. It was a beautiful day, 13 degrees Celsius/55 degrees Fahrenheit. Jordan has been wanting to see this park for a long time now, so it was great to finally do it! We wandered around, ate cotton candy and crepes, took lots of pictures, and then headed back to the apartment to enjoy a glass of white wine for Happy Hour (the French call it "Happy Hours", usually because it involves more than one drink during more than one hour!). We made a good dinner, and packed to leave for Brussels!

A perfect day in Paris.



Many kids followed Claire with longing eyes!

It's Official, and It Rocks!



Our Fun Summer Plan!

We booked our plane tickets!! After Lois and Jack visit us in Paris, all four of us will fly back on June 19th (taking the same flight; making the trip even more fun!) We will be in Boise from June 19th until July 2nd (...or so, to be confirmed). Then we will be in Seattle from July 2nd until the 7th and we will fly back to Paris from Seattle. Mark it down on your schedule! We are SO excited to see everyone!

Chateau de Vincennes

On a brisk and sunny day, we decided to visit the Chateau de Vincennes. Its construction originally started during the XII Century but its size and architecture developed over time as different kings took power (like the majority of French castles). It was mainly built to be the fortress we still see today by King Charles V (XIII Century). It is the oldest castle in France and its dungeon is the highest in Europe.

Chateau de Vincennes

The Castle's Sainte Chapelle

The Rose Window

Sainte Chapelle

Us in Front of the Castle - Cold, But Beautiful Day!

The King's Window!