Took Talia and Davina to the Arlette Gruss circus again this year. Made the mistake of first taking them to the pool, which I think tired out Davina and she was very wiggly during the whole thing. "I'm hungry! I'm tired! Can we go?" She was not at her best.
Of course, Talia loved it and watched transfixed. I got them cotton candy and popcorn (they only had that dire sweet kind-yuk!) at intermission, along with some overpriced drinks.
Talia went to Kenza's birthday party on Sunday. Her first time bowling. They have a little mini-alley for children that can be rented for birthdays. Now Ronnie wants to try. I thought that would be a good task for his father (bowling rates just above mini-golf in my book of Games to Avoid). I'm really not a big fan of games in general...
Ronnie had a birthday party too, same day, different hour so most of Sunday was spent shuttling them to and from.
Otherwise, nothing special going on. The weather keeps changing and today is another strike (which only meant I couldn't swim since it's a public pool). Luckily, the teachers were all there.
I'm going with Davina's class to the Karlsruhe zoo on Thursday. Please don't ask me why they had to go to a zoo so far. I volunteer since so many parents work. Oddly, they do actually have a lot coming (some take the day off) but they urged me to go too, anyway. I'm kind of dreading it (preschool teaching-I definitely did not miss my calling!) but will make the effort, and it will be an effort on my part!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Eurovision song contest
My girls were introduced to this classic European event last night.
We only watched a few of the songs. Some of it has become quite racey. Definitely the music has improved though since the first Eurovision I saw in Angers in 1987.
We saw Ukraine and a few others including the U.K.'s amazing singer while Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber tinkled on the piano. When Norway came on, I "warned" Talia. "Now their entries are usually kind of dire..." The singer is talented, plays the violin pretty well while some pretty amazing dancers trotted around him but the song was cheesy. "I'm in love with a Fairytale" he belted out with one cliched line after another...
We woke up this morning and guess who had won!
http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=2647
We only watched a few of the songs. Some of it has become quite racey. Definitely the music has improved though since the first Eurovision I saw in Angers in 1987.
We saw Ukraine and a few others including the U.K.'s amazing singer while Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber tinkled on the piano. When Norway came on, I "warned" Talia. "Now their entries are usually kind of dire..." The singer is talented, plays the violin pretty well while some pretty amazing dancers trotted around him but the song was cheesy. "I'm in love with a Fairytale" he belted out with one cliched line after another...
We woke up this morning and guess who had won!
http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=2647
Having problems with photos on new computer
I've decided to keep posting, without the photos until I figure this out.
Daniel bought a Mac a few weeks ago and I thought I had figured it out. I did manage to get most of the Italy pictures on Photobucket but now there's been a glitch. I'm not going to ramble on about it but there are two solutions. One is to figure out what went worng on this computer and the other is to get the old computer, which is now upstairs, connected to the internet so that I can load the photos on Photobucket from there.
If anyone can help, please email me. Meanwhile, I'll just have to go with the text-only messages...
I also can't change this winter photo!!!
Daniel bought a Mac a few weeks ago and I thought I had figured it out. I did manage to get most of the Italy pictures on Photobucket but now there's been a glitch. I'm not going to ramble on about it but there are two solutions. One is to figure out what went worng on this computer and the other is to get the old computer, which is now upstairs, connected to the internet so that I can load the photos on Photobucket from there.
If anyone can help, please email me. Meanwhile, I'll just have to go with the text-only messages...
I also can't change this winter photo!!!
African Music Concert
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
After a busy week with Alex, he was on the train back to Rostock when we had to get ready for that evening's concert.
http://gospelkids.ovh.org/page0/page0.php
Their director comes to St. Jean to teach singing but this year, something controversial took place.
The kids learned the songs that the "real" Gospel Kids group were going to use in the concert. We were then given a form to fill out if we wanted our kids (or rather, they wanted) to perform with Gospel Kids or not. Ronnie wanted to and Talia didn't.
That was fine but it turns out that the tickets were 20 euros (15 for children) to see this concert. They did offer a very few at 10 euros each but they were long gone before we decided what to do. Part of the delay was because I didn't know if I had to get one for our "German" student or not (if I had looked at the schedule...)
A lot of parents were upset and to be honest, many are not in the same financial position we are (St. Jean is officially classified as a economically disadvantaged area). I noticed that some parents came solo. Out of principal, I was happy to forget the whole thing and pick up Ronnie afterwards. Daniel agreed with me but refused to consider this. Just buy us all tickets, end of story.
I was in a bad mood leaving. Ronnie had to be dropped off at 3pm and he went to spend the night at a friend's, who was also in the concert (which was good as we could leave right away). I talked to the director and she said she's discussed this ad naseum and is not sure of doing this again.
The technicality was that it was voluntary. The kids learn the songs and then we had to actually fill out the form for them to participate. This was not obligatory and officially outside of school. Gospel Kids had found a good way of getting more kids in their concert and selling more tickets to it as well!
It was held at the Palais de Congres, the site recently of the infamous 60th anniversary NATO conference, and thus Obama visit...
The concert was okay. I would have enjoyed it more without all the background politics. Some of the soloists were kind of hurting but the dancing was good. Turns out, the chorus was behind a thin curtain for most of the concert. Ronnie was on the other side so we couldn't see him. They did drop the curtain towards the end but we still couldn't see him. We had paid 70 euros all of us to see our son, when we couldn't and he was behind a curtain...
They were all wearing Gospel Kids T-shirts. I joked with Daniel "After all this, I hope they let them keep the T-shirts!" Guess waht?!? They didn't! They had to hand them back!! Luckily, we learned that the next day...
Still seething but I'll get over it. I just feel like we've been taken for a ride.
PICTURES AND VIDEO TO FOLLOW
After a busy week with Alex, he was on the train back to Rostock when we had to get ready for that evening's concert.
http://gospelkids.ovh.org/page0/page0.php
Their director comes to St. Jean to teach singing but this year, something controversial took place.
The kids learned the songs that the "real" Gospel Kids group were going to use in the concert. We were then given a form to fill out if we wanted our kids (or rather, they wanted) to perform with Gospel Kids or not. Ronnie wanted to and Talia didn't.
That was fine but it turns out that the tickets were 20 euros (15 for children) to see this concert. They did offer a very few at 10 euros each but they were long gone before we decided what to do. Part of the delay was because I didn't know if I had to get one for our "German" student or not (if I had looked at the schedule...)
A lot of parents were upset and to be honest, many are not in the same financial position we are (St. Jean is officially classified as a economically disadvantaged area). I noticed that some parents came solo. Out of principal, I was happy to forget the whole thing and pick up Ronnie afterwards. Daniel agreed with me but refused to consider this. Just buy us all tickets, end of story.
I was in a bad mood leaving. Ronnie had to be dropped off at 3pm and he went to spend the night at a friend's, who was also in the concert (which was good as we could leave right away). I talked to the director and she said she's discussed this ad naseum and is not sure of doing this again.
The technicality was that it was voluntary. The kids learn the songs and then we had to actually fill out the form for them to participate. This was not obligatory and officially outside of school. Gospel Kids had found a good way of getting more kids in their concert and selling more tickets to it as well!
It was held at the Palais de Congres, the site recently of the infamous 60th anniversary NATO conference, and thus Obama visit...
The concert was okay. I would have enjoyed it more without all the background politics. Some of the soloists were kind of hurting but the dancing was good. Turns out, the chorus was behind a thin curtain for most of the concert. Ronnie was on the other side so we couldn't see him. They did drop the curtain towards the end but we still couldn't see him. We had paid 70 euros all of us to see our son, when we couldn't and he was behind a curtain...
They were all wearing Gospel Kids T-shirts. I joked with Daniel "After all this, I hope they let them keep the T-shirts!" Guess waht?!? They didn't! They had to hand them back!! Luckily, we learned that the next day...
Still seething but I'll get over it. I just feel like we've been taken for a ride.
PICTURES AND VIDEO TO FOLLOW
Our visitor from Rostock
This past week we had a student staying with us from Rostock Germany. St. Jean has an exchange program with Rostock, which is in the old Eastern part of Germany, in the north, not that far from Luebeck actually. There is also a teacher exchange and this year, Talia's German teacher is one of them. Ronnie also had a Rostock teacher the same year (2nd grade equivalent).
Ronnie is going next month and he will stay with his pen pal. The way it works is that the 9 year olds go up to Rostock and the next year, their pen pals come down to Strasbourg, a week each time. The problem is that often there are too many Germans for the French families (and probably some who can't host). Also, there are probably children who move away, etc. This year, the class above Ronnie's was hosting their students and they needed five extra families.
They were supposed to give us a little boy named Julian, who broke his arm the Friday before leaving. We only found this out when we got to the train station but the teacher said she still needed us.
The train arrived and out poured a big group of 10 and 11 year olds in red hats.
They gave us a little blond boy named Alex. He seemed cool and didn't seem to put out with the English and French going on as we headed to the car. To make small talk, I asked casually if he always lived in Rostock. Ronnie came back with the translation. "He was born in Ukraine. He's only been in Germany six years." So our French-German exchange had turned into a French/American-German/Ukrainian exchange.
His gifts were a hit. Two Pet Shop-type cats, two singing stuffed toys (a duck later named Quan-Quan and a Frog named Ploofy), a box of chocolates and a nice Matrioska doll.
Scheduling was tricky. It wasn't technically Ronnie's class so some excursions Alex was with his class while Ronnie had normal school. Ronnie did get out of a few classes to accompany Alex with the other Germans. They had a tour of the city the first day that Ronnie came along for, ending in a reception at the old City Hall where I was married. It was beautiful upstairs too. Ronnie missed his ice skating class but once wont kill him.
Here is a photo of their arrival. They all wore red hats (ours' didn't have any sort of matching garb for their trip to Rostock).
These are from the reception in City Hall. Daniel and I were married downstairs.
This is the only photo of him ice skating. Ronnie was tired so Alex wore his skates and I took the girls.
Wednesday morning, there was a museum tour which Ronnie was invited to as well but posed some legalistically problems with the girls' ice skating. We solved it by my going all the way into town and dropping them off and picking them up directly from the museum (rather than taking the bus from the school). I brought Alex to the ice skating rink but, with the language barrier, he got all excited thinking he would ice skate himself. I had to say in my broken German "only for ice skating school". I should have guessed that being Ukrainian, he would skate!
Turns out the Ukrainians can understand Russian and that meant that Alex could talk to about half the people there. He was talking to Irina, the ice skating teacher ("Is he with you?!?"), her mother, some of the other moms, a few of the kids, etc. At one point, I couldn't get something through to him and then asked one of the other moms to translate...
To add to this confusion, the garderie where Davina goes Wednesday afternoons decided to do an outing with the younger kids. I have never heard of this and it was really badly timed for me. It's better for Davina to go to the garderie Wednesday after noons and play in their big garden and do art projects, rather than be in the car taxing her older siblings around. Now, I was presented with the fact that I would be taxiing two kids around... No, it wont work. I asked Talia nicely, can you skip gymnastics once??
Ronnie had a swim lesson and turns out, Jessica was sick so it was cancelled. I gave up, threw towels in the car and decided we'd all go swimming!
Then the real fun began. Turns out two other host families got the same idea, at the same time and place. We had a total of 10 of the German students there. It was a madhouse trying to keep tags on them all, in addition to our own kids. At one point, I lost Alex. I had to tell them that I lost a little blond boy who doesn't speak French but does speak Ukrainian and German. The lifeguard looked at me strangely and said "But your accent-where are you from??"
Hautepierre's pool is the best for kid to play. There is a little kids' pool and a big slide. The Germans loved the slide. They probably are telling everyone that French pools have cool slides but it's the only one we know of. It was hard because most of the line to use it is out of view, so I had to assume that's where they were when I couldn't find them. The other two St. Jean parents helped me keep tab of my lot.
Ronnie was cute coming out of the boys locker room. He was shouting instructions to Alex in German, talking with the other kids from his school in French and me in English. Lots of stares and one ticket guy "had" to ask...
I did manage to get Ronnie and Talia to Hebrew school but it's only an hour. I took Alex and Davina shopping nearby, to avoid more driving. Half-dead, we all went home...
Thursday morning there was a visit to the Vesseau museum, where Talia once had her birthday. Ronnie had the last rehearsal for the Saturday night show so he didn't go. Friday was a picnic at the park by the river. They symbolically took a picture on the pedestrian bridge on the border.
One issue was that I had to pack a lunch every day for Alex. That was a bit of a pain, as most of it came back. I couldn't figure out what he would eat. I took him to the store, I asked him, I showed him and still, he didn't eat much. Turns out, this is the problem all the parents have every year. The German tastes are different. I bought kosher salami (doubt he ever knew it) and just put it in a bag. He didn't eat the sandwich.
We had better luck at home. He liked Rhubarb pie (an Alsatian specialty). Also, the Koglehof Daniel bought the first day. The exotic fruit wasn't a hit but Talia finished off the Passion Fruit and all three ate the mangoes. The artichokes were a big mistake. I think that was just too weird for Alex to eat. He liked the mergez and the homemade pizza but wouldn't touch the lamb roast (strange as that is a kid-hit with ours'). Honestly, I didn't serve nor expect him to eat what our kids do. Anchovies and raw oysters are not what we serve but I know that not all kids love them as much as my three do. Still...
Otherwise, he was easy. He didn't make a mess, took showers and got ready quickly and by himself. It was good practice for Ronnie's German.
I was really sad taking him to the train station Saturday morning and saying goodbye. We gave him a San Francisco 49er T-shirt, a stuffed bunny from the U.S. for his baby sister and a box of Alsatian cookies for his family. I also gave him some S.F. and Alsace postcards. I had gotten attached to the little blond boy in just a few days! I was sorry to see him go but glad that Ronnie would have some one he knew when he goes up there next month.
Ronnie is going next month and he will stay with his pen pal. The way it works is that the 9 year olds go up to Rostock and the next year, their pen pals come down to Strasbourg, a week each time. The problem is that often there are too many Germans for the French families (and probably some who can't host). Also, there are probably children who move away, etc. This year, the class above Ronnie's was hosting their students and they needed five extra families.
They were supposed to give us a little boy named Julian, who broke his arm the Friday before leaving. We only found this out when we got to the train station but the teacher said she still needed us.
The train arrived and out poured a big group of 10 and 11 year olds in red hats.
They gave us a little blond boy named Alex. He seemed cool and didn't seem to put out with the English and French going on as we headed to the car. To make small talk, I asked casually if he always lived in Rostock. Ronnie came back with the translation. "He was born in Ukraine. He's only been in Germany six years." So our French-German exchange had turned into a French/American-German/Ukrainian exchange.
His gifts were a hit. Two Pet Shop-type cats, two singing stuffed toys (a duck later named Quan-Quan and a Frog named Ploofy), a box of chocolates and a nice Matrioska doll.
Scheduling was tricky. It wasn't technically Ronnie's class so some excursions Alex was with his class while Ronnie had normal school. Ronnie did get out of a few classes to accompany Alex with the other Germans. They had a tour of the city the first day that Ronnie came along for, ending in a reception at the old City Hall where I was married. It was beautiful upstairs too. Ronnie missed his ice skating class but once wont kill him.
Here is a photo of their arrival. They all wore red hats (ours' didn't have any sort of matching garb for their trip to Rostock).
These are from the reception in City Hall. Daniel and I were married downstairs.
This is the only photo of him ice skating. Ronnie was tired so Alex wore his skates and I took the girls.
These were just home shots but it's interesting as I took them with different cameras. The top one is from the iPhone.
Saying goodbye :(
The next day they went to Haut Koeingsburg castle about an hour south of here. We woke up to pouring rain and it continued throughout the day. No beautiful view of Alsace for Alex and his buddies.
Wednesday morning, there was a museum tour which Ronnie was invited to as well but posed some legalistically problems with the girls' ice skating. We solved it by my going all the way into town and dropping them off and picking them up directly from the museum (rather than taking the bus from the school). I brought Alex to the ice skating rink but, with the language barrier, he got all excited thinking he would ice skate himself. I had to say in my broken German "only for ice skating school". I should have guessed that being Ukrainian, he would skate!
Turns out the Ukrainians can understand Russian and that meant that Alex could talk to about half the people there. He was talking to Irina, the ice skating teacher ("Is he with you?!?"), her mother, some of the other moms, a few of the kids, etc. At one point, I couldn't get something through to him and then asked one of the other moms to translate...
To add to this confusion, the garderie where Davina goes Wednesday afternoons decided to do an outing with the younger kids. I have never heard of this and it was really badly timed for me. It's better for Davina to go to the garderie Wednesday after noons and play in their big garden and do art projects, rather than be in the car taxing her older siblings around. Now, I was presented with the fact that I would be taxiing two kids around... No, it wont work. I asked Talia nicely, can you skip gymnastics once??
Ronnie had a swim lesson and turns out, Jessica was sick so it was cancelled. I gave up, threw towels in the car and decided we'd all go swimming!
Then the real fun began. Turns out two other host families got the same idea, at the same time and place. We had a total of 10 of the German students there. It was a madhouse trying to keep tags on them all, in addition to our own kids. At one point, I lost Alex. I had to tell them that I lost a little blond boy who doesn't speak French but does speak Ukrainian and German. The lifeguard looked at me strangely and said "But your accent-where are you from??"
Hautepierre's pool is the best for kid to play. There is a little kids' pool and a big slide. The Germans loved the slide. They probably are telling everyone that French pools have cool slides but it's the only one we know of. It was hard because most of the line to use it is out of view, so I had to assume that's where they were when I couldn't find them. The other two St. Jean parents helped me keep tab of my lot.
Ronnie was cute coming out of the boys locker room. He was shouting instructions to Alex in German, talking with the other kids from his school in French and me in English. Lots of stares and one ticket guy "had" to ask...
I did manage to get Ronnie and Talia to Hebrew school but it's only an hour. I took Alex and Davina shopping nearby, to avoid more driving. Half-dead, we all went home...
Thursday morning there was a visit to the Vesseau museum, where Talia once had her birthday. Ronnie had the last rehearsal for the Saturday night show so he didn't go. Friday was a picnic at the park by the river. They symbolically took a picture on the pedestrian bridge on the border.
One issue was that I had to pack a lunch every day for Alex. That was a bit of a pain, as most of it came back. I couldn't figure out what he would eat. I took him to the store, I asked him, I showed him and still, he didn't eat much. Turns out, this is the problem all the parents have every year. The German tastes are different. I bought kosher salami (doubt he ever knew it) and just put it in a bag. He didn't eat the sandwich.
We had better luck at home. He liked Rhubarb pie (an Alsatian specialty). Also, the Koglehof Daniel bought the first day. The exotic fruit wasn't a hit but Talia finished off the Passion Fruit and all three ate the mangoes. The artichokes were a big mistake. I think that was just too weird for Alex to eat. He liked the mergez and the homemade pizza but wouldn't touch the lamb roast (strange as that is a kid-hit with ours'). Honestly, I didn't serve nor expect him to eat what our kids do. Anchovies and raw oysters are not what we serve but I know that not all kids love them as much as my three do. Still...
Otherwise, he was easy. He didn't make a mess, took showers and got ready quickly and by himself. It was good practice for Ronnie's German.
I was really sad taking him to the train station Saturday morning and saying goodbye. We gave him a San Francisco 49er T-shirt, a stuffed bunny from the U.S. for his baby sister and a box of Alsatian cookies for his family. I also gave him some S.F. and Alsace postcards. I had gotten attached to the little blond boy in just a few days! I was sorry to see him go but glad that Ronnie would have some one he knew when he goes up there next month.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Parliament Open House, we were not alone!
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Last year I took Davina to the Parliament Open House. We had a really nice time and I regretted not bringing the other two. This time, I was determined to not make the same mistake.
Turns out, we were not alone. It was a madhouse. Too many people and all we ended up doing was being herded through the building. Even visiting the actual room was a disappointment. Last year, we were down among the desks. This year, only the balcony was open and we had to look down from a distance.
We couldn't play any games or contests. There were just too many people and too long waits for everything.
One thing I wouldn't do is sign the petition to keep the Parliament in Strasbourg. I'm actually against this big waste of money, dragging the parliament members from Brussels one week a month. I can't imagine that they can't organize this differently. It's a shame to have this big building on prime real estate empty three weeks a month.
IF I ever attempt to take the kids to this event again, we'll be there at 10am and be the first in!
PHOTOS TO FOLLOW
Last year I took Davina to the Parliament Open House. We had a really nice time and I regretted not bringing the other two. This time, I was determined to not make the same mistake.
Turns out, we were not alone. It was a madhouse. Too many people and all we ended up doing was being herded through the building. Even visiting the actual room was a disappointment. Last year, we were down among the desks. This year, only the balcony was open and we had to look down from a distance.
We couldn't play any games or contests. There were just too many people and too long waits for everything.
One thing I wouldn't do is sign the petition to keep the Parliament in Strasbourg. I'm actually against this big waste of money, dragging the parliament members from Brussels one week a month. I can't imagine that they can't organize this differently. It's a shame to have this big building on prime real estate empty three weeks a month.
IF I ever attempt to take the kids to this event again, we'll be there at 10am and be the first in!
PHOTOS TO FOLLOW
The circus animals are back...
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
There's a cheap circus which camps out near the house. The show itself doesn't seem worth the effort but it's fun driving by llamas, Shetland ponies, steers and goats for about a week a year.
The kids were taken more by the goat than the pony. That was surprising. Even the dogs didn't pull Davina away from the goat.
PHOTOS TO FOLLOW
There's a cheap circus which camps out near the house. The show itself doesn't seem worth the effort but it's fun driving by llamas, Shetland ponies, steers and goats for about a week a year.
The kids were taken more by the goat than the pony. That was surprising. Even the dogs didn't pull Davina away from the goat.
PHOTOS TO FOLLOW
Military Base Visit
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
May 8th is a national holiday so we signed up for Americans in Alsace's Ramstein base tour. I thought tour meant we would be able to look around. Turned out, we never got out of the bus!! That was hard on the kids because it took awhile to even get there and then we got out of the car, only to get on the bus. Too much riding.
What saved the day was when we stopped at the Zweibrucken Outlet Mall. Wow! Really cheap stuff and a really nice setting. I bought a ton of stuff, including an overdue wedding present and a certain type of pot that was too big to get in the U.S. and never was under 200 Euros in France. I was very specific (i.e. size and induction friendly) and found the exact item I'd been searching. Davina got some shoes and there was a great Body Shop with almost half-priced things (I'm a confirmed customer of theirs').
I am definitely NOT a shopper so for me to spend so much money and get excited about it was a rarity.
PHOTOS TO FOLLOW
May 8th is a national holiday so we signed up for Americans in Alsace's Ramstein base tour. I thought tour meant we would be able to look around. Turned out, we never got out of the bus!! That was hard on the kids because it took awhile to even get there and then we got out of the car, only to get on the bus. Too much riding.
What saved the day was when we stopped at the Zweibrucken Outlet Mall. Wow! Really cheap stuff and a really nice setting. I bought a ton of stuff, including an overdue wedding present and a certain type of pot that was too big to get in the U.S. and never was under 200 Euros in France. I was very specific (i.e. size and induction friendly) and found the exact item I'd been searching. Davina got some shoes and there was a great Body Shop with almost half-priced things (I'm a confirmed customer of theirs').
I am definitely NOT a shopper so for me to spend so much money and get excited about it was a rarity.
PHOTOS TO FOLLOW
Florence
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
We stayed in the Florence Sofitel. It was in a great location, a real relief from the Novotels.
We had to get two separate rooms (no connecting rooms at all in this hotel) but they were next door. Me and the girls got a Room With A View (well if you craned your neck around the roof sticking out);
The boys had a little less romantic view;
Here is the view from the front entrance;
First, let me say that Florence is not overrated. It is beautiful. What it isn't is kid-friendly. Scenery, museums and crowds kind of quash this. Lots of pizza and pasta doesn't wholly make up for it but help.
We did the open top bus tour. We've done this in many cities and it's always a hit. A good way to see what there is, to measure what the kids would like and not have to drag them around. We were brave and took upstairs seats even with threatening (and sometimes a bit of) rain. Daniel stayed downstairs.
We stayed in the Florence Sofitel. It was in a great location, a real relief from the Novotels.
We had to get two separate rooms (no connecting rooms at all in this hotel) but they were next door. Me and the girls got a Room With A View (well if you craned your neck around the roof sticking out);
The boys had a little less romantic view;
Here is the view from the front entrance;
First, let me say that Florence is not overrated. It is beautiful. What it isn't is kid-friendly. Scenery, museums and crowds kind of quash this. Lots of pizza and pasta doesn't wholly make up for it but help.
We did the open top bus tour. We've done this in many cities and it's always a hit. A good way to see what there is, to measure what the kids would like and not have to drag them around. We were brave and took upstairs seats even with threatening (and sometimes a bit of) rain. Daniel stayed downstairs.
Sahna, her kids, her pets...
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
On our last evening in Florence, we were invited to dinner by Sahna, with whom I went to high school. I kind of knew what she was up to, that she lived in Italy and had a couple of kids, but thanks to Facebook, we were able to get back in touch directly. She invited us over and although Florence wasn't a big hit with the kids, Sahna's invitation SAVED our visit.
Well, that was after we found her. We got a little lost on the way...
Not only did she have two sons just slightly older than Ronnie but a cousin next door around the same age and 8 week old puppies!!! These dogs were soooo cute and docile and sweet, they were like little dolls. The kids went nuts!
It didn't hurt that Sahna is a cook so obviously dinner was wonderful.
On our last evening in Florence, we were invited to dinner by Sahna, with whom I went to high school. I kind of knew what she was up to, that she lived in Italy and had a couple of kids, but thanks to Facebook, we were able to get back in touch directly. She invited us over and although Florence wasn't a big hit with the kids, Sahna's invitation SAVED our visit.
Well, that was after we found her. We got a little lost on the way...
Not only did she have two sons just slightly older than Ronnie but a cousin next door around the same age and 8 week old puppies!!! These dogs were soooo cute and docile and sweet, they were like little dolls. The kids went nuts!
It didn't hurt that Sahna is a cook so obviously dinner was wonderful.
Venice in the rain.
No luck with the weather!
It didn't just rain both days we were there but it was windy and pretty cold for this time of year.
The kids liked the water buses though;
I had to drag them to St. Mark's Square, but it was hard to see anything.
In desperation, we stopped by the most expensive cafe...ever. There was live music, classical music by professionals. They charged over 5 Euros per adult just to listen! Of course it was all fancy, with a chandelier and nice china. My coffee was excellent (whether 5 Euros excellent is debatable). The kids each had an ice cream, as did Daniel. The bill came to over 50 Euros!!
Here are a few rainy scenery pictures.
Needless to say, it wasn't a big day for gondola drivers but here were some brave tourists;
Rialto bridge. This is where Sarah Newcombe and I stayed years ago (circa 1990). This time we were in the remotely-located Novotel, where Daniel had free vouchers as a "Favorite Guest".
We got off to take a look at the Jewish quarter, the original ghetto (the word comes from the Venetian dialect);
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venetian_Ghetto
I took this clandestine photo of the synagogue (with Talia lamenting "Mommy, that's not allowed"):
We had drinks at a kosher cafe, bought some gifts, a picture and I got a book and then headed back to the sticks, a.k.a. Novotal.
Not sure what these are. I'll look them up. I believe the first is the entrance to another synagogue.
It didn't just rain both days we were there but it was windy and pretty cold for this time of year.
The kids liked the water buses though;
I had to drag them to St. Mark's Square, but it was hard to see anything.
In desperation, we stopped by the most expensive cafe...ever. There was live music, classical music by professionals. They charged over 5 Euros per adult just to listen! Of course it was all fancy, with a chandelier and nice china. My coffee was excellent (whether 5 Euros excellent is debatable). The kids each had an ice cream, as did Daniel. The bill came to over 50 Euros!!
Here are a few rainy scenery pictures.
Needless to say, it wasn't a big day for gondola drivers but here were some brave tourists;
Rialto bridge. This is where Sarah Newcombe and I stayed years ago (circa 1990). This time we were in the remotely-located Novotel, where Daniel had free vouchers as a "Favorite Guest".
We got off to take a look at the Jewish quarter, the original ghetto (the word comes from the Venetian dialect);
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venetian_Ghetto
I took this clandestine photo of the synagogue (with Talia lamenting "Mommy, that's not allowed"):
We had drinks at a kosher cafe, bought some gifts, a picture and I got a book and then headed back to the sticks, a.k.a. Novotal.
Not sure what these are. I'll look them up. I believe the first is the entrance to another synagogue.
Davina's first hair cut
Actually, it wasn't. She cut her own hair about a year ago. Needless to say, it needed a bit of professional help.
Amanda, who is an old friend of Daniel's did it. She does mine too. Davina was very good for the whole thing and got a couple of toys at the end. No surprise that she picked a dog and horse.
Amanda, who is an old friend of Daniel's did it. She does mine too. Davina was very good for the whole thing and got a couple of toys at the end. No surprise that she picked a dog and horse.
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