gabriella & jd (and alex! and vincent!)

"don't touch the cheese" Last weekend we had more back-to-school meetings at Alex's school which was nice. We learned about what he will do in his class, etc. Then we stopped for lunch at a very good Lebanese restaurant in our town. The weather has been very nice this September in Paris so we've enjoyed the playground after school. Our town was also setting up for a weekend Antiques/Food/Garden party. Then it was Yom Kippur, time for some more fish, and the weekend. pictures.

white wine braised leeks and sweet and sour fish Last week was a normal week, school, playing, etc. It was also Rosh Hashanah, and JD made a yummy meal with white wine braised leeks and Pesce al ‘Ebraica (Italian Sweet and Sour Fish) . Alex helped. Alex is doing great in his new school and making friends and enjoying the gourmet lunches and using some French words. We are enjoying the 15 minute walk to his school as opposed to the 30 minute bus ride. pictures

a light snack in the Latin Quarter This past weekend we explored the 5th arrondissement and Latin Quarter some more - near the Pantheon, and the ruins of a Roman amphitheater. The we went to the Jardin des Plantes and the zoo to see if we could see the snow leopard cubs but unfortunately they were not out. We enjoyed many other animals and reptiles in the menagerie. Of course there was some eating and walking around too. pictures

September 2nd was Alex's first day back to school - at his new French school in our town. He was a bit sad but held it together as we met his new teacher, Nathalie, and looked around the classroom. When I picked him up afterschool he was sad, but then started telling me about his day and what he ate for lunch - stick bones (drumsticks), lemon water (orange juice), smiley faces (apple slices in the shape of smiles), and tomatoes. For snack, he had chocolate milk (he didn't want it so he left it) and bread and jam. Then he said he played with some of the boys, and counted in French, the teacher read them stories, and they played outside on a "turtle". It's a really nice school and the teacher seems very nice, so we have no doubt Alex will adjust after a few days. There are 29 children in his class, 15 boys and 14 girls, one teacher and one assistant. And on the first day of school they had a nice woman there hugging and sitting with all the sad children. back

funny water fountain at Fontainbleau Last week we met up with one of Alex's friends from school last year, Lucas, and enjoyed a long day in the park. On Saturday we took the train to Fontainbleau , where we had a great lunch and then toured the chateau and gardens. pictures