X, O and away

Camille sent me this picture from her week at papa's house.

joyeux anniversaire Camille

Here's Camille celebrating her ninth full trip around the sun

friends!

carnaval

This was my first Carnaval since we've lived here, and while a far cry from the very Brazilian mood of Toulouse on Carnaval night, it was lot's of fun and a good town bonding experience. We danced through the streets in a river of characters from all eras and far-flung corners of the real-world and imagination.

Abandoning their cumbersome sheep and robot costumes at the last minute, Camille and Louise whipped together these more feminine looks: "China doll" and "junior spring sprite" (I was "senior spring sprite", and glad to have a helper in tow).Mr Carnaval (below) represents the collective naughtiness of the entire community. After parading him through town, the crowd assembled at the Place de le République, where he was tried for all the mischief of the day, and as is the tradition, sentenced to be burned. Within minutes, Mr Carnaval was consumed in flame, we could all go home with our consciences clear.

masks and music

farandole

where parrots fly across the streets

where rooftops look like ice cream cones

Barcelona

Happy feet

yet we told them to wash their faces ....

pancakes and make-believe

Winter break, time to embark on culinary adventures, kick back with friends, take it easy and enjoy life.

Above: Louise masters the art of spatula flipping and performs the inevitable taste-test. Does she look a bit floury?

Below: Camille's new bedroom - officially adopted and baptised with slumber parties and magical make-believe stories that last all afternoon...

When I poked my head in with the camera, I was well received, but could hear the make-believe stir back to life again only once I'd gone and closed the door behind me.

Today we are packing our bags for a few days in Barcelona. I gave the girls a list of what to pack, which they took very seriously ("Mom, I only have three clean pairs of socks...", "Does this count as warm pajamas..." etc.)

After delivering the mice to the neighbors care, topping up the chicken feed, and cuddling our cat, we are off to the warmth of Catalonia...

Penelope wishes you a beautiful and happy year 2011!!!!

so do we!

pictures from... last year

These pictures come courtesy of Aunt Barb, who snapped us bunches of times when we visited her last September. She lives near one of the greatest playgrounds I've ever seen: the dunes of Lake Michigan!

snowcat