Une semaine entre filles

A couple of weeks ago Daniel had to go to Houston for work; I say "had to," but it was actually really great for him because he was able to spend time with a couple of his brothers and their families and it just so happenned that our new niece was born when he was there. Anyway, it was during Jaxon's winter break, and it so happenned that my friend Aurélie's (who I met on the internet about a year ago now) husband was in Japan for work. She invited me and the kids over, so the very afternoon that Daniel packed up to go on the plane to the U.S., I packed up the car and the kids and drove over to Montpellier for a week of, as she called it, "French Immersion." The standard French bathtub is a bit bigger than a standard American bathtub, luckily for these four boys who has a blast playing in a tub full of the best bubbles I have ever seen!

Aurélie remembered that it was Mardi Gras and she ran out an bought costumes for the kids to celebrate. They are so handsome, our robin hood, knight, indian, and baby (Jonas still plays the part really well).

One morning with went to the Park aux Biches (deer park), where Aurélie had sworn that she had seen deer during each of her visits. Her friend Pierre (who despite his quintessentially French name is the most "American at heart" frenchman that I have met) accompanied us with his two boys, roughly the same ages as ours. Our pack of boys successfully scared off any deer that may have been inclined to venture our way. That is, until right before we left when we spotted about 5 of them. However, the kids missed it. Oh well, the really had a good time anyway.

Wow, that really does look like a lot of kids, doesn't it?

Having a snack at the Montpellier aquarium. This aquarium was really great and very kid-oriented.

There were all kinds of interesting structure for kids at the aquarium.

A quick trip to Antactica

Otherwise we spent time in their backyard, watching French movies, and Aurélie and I stayed up way too late at night talking about just about everything. I love talking with her because I can ask her all the potentially offensive and inappropriate questions I would never ask any of my other French friends! She also taught me a thing or two about French cooking, to Daniel's great pleasure when he returned from the states. The kids got along wonderfully and it was fun to here Jaxon speaking French all week. It was just a wonderful week. Thanks Aurélie!

Jaxon the mountain climber

After a morning of shopping for French boots for Janet and pointy French work shoes for me, we decided to go for a walk with the kids on a famous mountain we can see from outside our apartment - Le Garlaban (most well known from Marcel Pagnol's My Father's Glory)
We told Jaxon he could decide how far we walked because we started in the afternoon and we thought he might be tired.

As we got higher and higher he became determined to reach the top.

After two hours we made it to the top where we were quickly reminded that it was still winter as a cold wind blasted us.

Both Jaxon and Jonas were excited by the paragliders everywhere.

I laughed when I saw this picture as it reminds me of myself when I was a boy

Jonas was very content in the backpack. Last year we tried it and I think he was too small because when he fell asleep his head would fall through the leg holes. Not very comfortable or safe.

I could not resist getting a shot of my cute wife with such a nice view.

The trail got a little rough in places.....

but I think those were his favorite parts.

As we arrived back at the car we realized how far we had come - notice the rocky peak in the background!

And Jaxon is now officially a mountain climber.

Birthday trip #2 to London

So I spent my birthday this year on a plane with two young children to go meet Daniel up in London again, but I can't really complain. I have to say that I have never had a bad experience travelling with my children (knock on wood), even though I seem to do it a lot by myself. Fortunately this time was no exception. When Daniel and I went to Wicked in October, I couldn't help but thinking throughout the performance "Jaxon would love this!" So I didn't want to pass up an opportunity to take him this time. They sell the front row seats the morning of the performance at 10:00, so I got up early on Saturday morning to go wait in line, getting there by 7:45. I happy to see I was one of the first people in line. However, it had snowed the night before and was freezing, an by 9:00, with an hour to go, I really started to wonder if my toes were becoming frostbitten. I managed to stick it out and got front row tickets right in the center. Luckily it was definitely worth it! Jaxon had a really good time. One of the funnest parts was at the end when were standing applauding the cast. When the lights came on the actresses who play Glenda and Elphaba spotted Jaxon, the little guy clapping in the front and they started smiling at him and waving just to him and blowing him kisses. He got a big kick out of that. It was really cute. I think he has a crush on Glenda

On one of the nicer days I took the boys to Kew Gardens. Here they are on the treetop walk.

In the little hedgehog house

Jonas was a little nervous to go in at first, but was more nervous to stay outside by himself, so he followed me and Jaxon in.

Inside one of the many greenhouses

At the indoor play area at Kew Gardens

Usually I still consider Jonas my baby, but he was seeming pretty darn independent to me this particular day...

Enjoying the V&A Museum of Childhood

Jonas at Battersea Park Children's Zoo. He went there with Daniel when I took Jaxon to Wicked. Apparently their day out together started out great but turned kind of sour due to a sever bout of constipation on Jonas' part. Pour thing!

Natural Science Museum. Jonas really appreciated the dinosaur exhibit this time, even if he kept on calling them "dogs."

My strong boy carrying around weights at the Museum of London Docklands.

We went there for "Messy Mondays", which Jaxon greatly appreciated. I think there is less of a culture of messiness if France and Jaxon was making up for lost time.

Sailor town

That Monday only got messier when we went to Mudchute City Farm. Very appropriately named. Very muddy.

Walking under the Thames on the Greenwich Underground Footpath

Standing on the Meridian Line experiencing Greenwich mean time

London Maritime Museum. Jaxon could have loaded and unloaded the "cargo ship" all day. However, Jonas was not in the mood to watch him do it all day.

Checking out the sailor's meal

Explorer Jaxon at the Natural History Museum. This had to have been our fifth or sixth trip there, and I think we have finally seen the whole thing. It is nothing less than immense.