Thursday, September 10, 2009

changes

Some things are different around here. For instance, I didn't have to stay by Eva's side at the park. She surprised me by running off to play on her own.

She only came back crying once, saying that a little girl had pushed her off of the train. Just as I was questioning her about the incident, the little girl's father came over. He apologized and then had his daughter apologize. Eva was appropriately mollified, so I guess that even though she didn't understand the words they were saying, she understood the message.

Max and Lucas did their favorite thing at the Champ de Mars park -- ping pong -- but this time, they were joined by 3 French boys. It was interesting watching their rudimentary French/English communication. They played a game where they could all play at once instead of waiting for the table, pretty clever.

For those of you that have visited us here, you might be surprised (as I was) to discover that the Shopi grocery store across the street is gone, and has been replaced by Carrefour City. It isn't all that different from Shopi, but it sure is a lot more crowded! (I don't know why, but I am surprised by changes here. I guess I think of Paris as being such an old city, and I expect it to stay the same.) **But I forgot to add the best part -- instead of closing at 7pm, it's open until 11:45! Convenience in Paris?! Who knew?

We discovered that a new location of Amorino (wonderful gelato) opened up on Rue Cler, a favorite street right by our apartment. Change can be good.

{I will not, however, be changing my profile picture. I don't have a flat-iron here, it is humid, my hair is a disaster, and I have bags under my eyes. I am so not cute.}

18 comments:

Kelly said...

It's so fun to see pictures of your daily life over there. Changes always surprise me, too, but some of those are pretty good changes -- an independent Eva at the park?!

I am sure you are beautiful as ever, and maybe your hair will acclimate to the humidity a bit.

Natasha said...

Yay for the Paris clock on your sidebar!

I am concerned about how Eva's nice white shirt looked after finishing that chocolate?

Jill said...

It's kind of crazy to think of the kids playing in the park being surrounded by French speaking kids. I can just picture Eva trying to talk to a "friend" and then being frustrated that she doesn't understand her.

I feel like everything should be frozen in time there, so a different grocery store outside your window will be a switch for me too.

Hooray for Amorino being closer! I had Dulce de leche last time and it was wonderful!

patsy said...

I love these photos- how great for you boys to be doing this!

That Gelato.... OH YUM!

will you take some photos inside the grocery store? I've never really wanted to go to Paris before... I have a feeling that is all about to change!

Rebekah said...

Good call with the flat iron. I read a woman's beauty blog about her experience taking a flat iron to London. Even with an adapter I guess the thing got super hot and literally burned her hair off. Is the rest of the world on the same currency? Is this another American hold out thing like the metric system?

Today the raging jealousy has subsided.

Somewhat.

I am only consoled by the fact that my life has improved because of your life and all the things you do. :)

Rebekah said...

I mean the same current, not currency.

Doodle Bugs said...

Great to see your kids having fun! I love reading and seeing Paris through your posts.

Marie said...

How long do you plan on staying in Paris?

Michelle said...

I love how kids are so open to each other and immediately get down to the business of play - language barrier be damned!

wende said...

oh, humidity hair! as a native virginian, i am definitely feeling your pain with that.

i loved reading your emotional chronology post - so clever and something i'm sure you will love reading again at some point.

what a great experience for your kids - and i'm convinced that eva will have a hard time coming back home by the time she settles in. :) maybe all of you?

Bond Girl 007 said...

ohhhh no, your hair cut is soo cute on Jill's picture from your book club, I must say, I understand your pain--especially when it is not long enough to pull back! Don't fret you are in Paris, and things well look up after the jet lag is really gone! Good for the change...When I lived in Spain it was kind of aggravating having business close at 2 and not reopened until 5 and then closed back by 7!, Even England when we I lived there briefly, there was only one day a week they were opened until 8! So this type of change is really good no??? Unless the traffic interrupts your sleep! However, people watching should be wonderful through le fenĂȘtre!

Bond Girl 007 said...

Oh le Parisian arbre there are none like it! So unique

linda said...

I love gelato and am envious of Eva's cone!

Barb said...

I like to imagine Jaclyn doing a BYU semester in Paris while you are there and then I would come visit both of you!

Esther said...

How much fun that you are out and about. These are the kinds of memories that you and your children will look back and treasure for ever.

That's great that the new grocery store closes late. As Claudia mentioned, I too lived in Spain but in a small, small town where everything closed very early so most of my shopping had to be done early in the morning.

TX Girl said...

Was Eva completely confused when the little girl apologized in French?

This got me thinking- if I were to move to another country where a different language was spoken what key languages would your kids need to know? I think I would have to make sure my kids could say "sorry"- especially the rascal Teddy.

jenn said...

Oh My Gosh- I am SO amazed at that picture of Max and his tall self with those boys looking up to him and I'm thinking how confident he looks and how he was communicating and working out a game they could all play in FRANCE!! I love him!

His abilities are another change to be happy about! Almost equal to gelato near by!

Amy said...

No Shopi! How can this be. But I suppose a late night grocery store is infinitely better, so I won't mourn too much. ;)

When we were in Paris my kids loved the playgrounds. The only thing was that we discovered that most of the kids they played with were actually Americans, so no language barrier. Strange, huh?

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