Yes, it is another sunrise picture....if I have to get up at the crack of dawn, at least I get to see the gorgeous sunrises!! No critters out there today though...

We are beginning the second week of school. Hopefully, it will go as smoothly as last week did! Clay was really good about getting himself up and being ready to go by 6:30...and about coming home and starting on his homework right away. Another difference from the private school: at St. John's they rarely had homework on the weekends, and that was usually just Math problems. This past weekend Clay had Math, and and English assignment on the Holocaust which he had to complete online - and it took him about 2 1/2 hours to finish! He also had to work on a weekly assignment for his Finance class.

Paige didn't really have any work last week. They spent the entire week giving out locker assignments, buying PE uniforms, and going over policies and procedures. No wonder she is a year ahead in most subjects!! She was bored to tears. She is used to hitting the ground running the first day of school and coming home on the first day with at least an hour of homework! Hopefully, they will get going with academics this week! Tonight is the open house at her school, and Tim and I are anxious to see what the teachers have to say and what she will be studying this year. In other Paige news - she had a bracket come off (braces) and so we need to get her in to the orthodontist sometime today to get that fixed. They DID tell her not to chew ice...she said she forgot. Let's hope she remembers from now on!!

Paige has something to say....

I haven't written in the blog in a LONG time!!! Since before we went to France!! When we first got to France, the customs line was really long because somebody lost their luggage. Then we picked up Simon and Louise's brother, Gabriel at the train station and then we all drove about 300 miles to Clermont Ferrand which is also where Michelin is based. After spending the night there, we went to Vulcania and then drove another couple of hours to their house in St. Martin d'Aout. We swam and ate our first REAL French meal. Their house was really old, but cool. I liked some of the food (quiche, meringues, soups, the cheese, sausages) but I didn't care for other foods ( mashed corn, couscous with a sauce, salad that was just spinach leaves). My favorite thing that we did was the ziplining from trees. My least favorite thing was the go-karting because I had never done it before and I was so scared that I was going to crash, that I was going really, really slow and I STILL CRASHED!!

School is .... school. I don't like it, I don't hate it. Lunches are good, but the salads have brown lettuce and sometimes the food looks more like pig slop. My favorite class in Language Arts because Mrs. Teel is really cool!! My least favorite class is probably Science because (1) I already did the same stuff last year and (2) the teacher is kind of boring. Maybe it will get better. I hope so.

TTFN!!!

TGIF!!

I was up at the crack of dawn - again - this morning to take Clay to school...when I got home, (after first replenishing my coffee mug) I saw the sun peeking out from behind the clouds and illuminating them. It was beautiful, so I ran to get my camera and out to the dock...at which point the sun was disappearing already. Don't you hate it when that happens? There is a 70% chance of rain today, so I think that may be the only glimpse of sun we see! While I was out on the dock waiting for the sun to reappear so I could snap the perfect photo....I saw this guy...
Now, we see lots of manatees around here - but it is not often that they almost beach themselves! I think this guy must have been pretty hungry!! I also saw an alligator, but my battery was almost dead and the camera wouldn't focus - so no photos of "Bob"....which is what my son calls all the gators and stingrays we see in the lake. As in, "I caught Bob again today"....or, "there goes Bob". Why does he call them Bob? No clue!! Anyway, I HATE having to get up so early in the mornings, but it is kinda cool to see the lake waking up. I may have to make a habit of taking my coffee out there every morning and enjoying it!

Last night was the open house at the high school. It was very interesting, and I think Clay will do well. I like all his teachers and I am feeling optimistic about his first year of high school!! Paige's open house in Monday night - I'll let you know how that goes.

Tim and I have decided to list our house again - with another realtor this time. I really hope it sells!

Early mornings. Ugh.

O-dark-thirty...when we leave the house in the morning...ugh! I have relaxed my "no caffeine until you are finished growing" rule and am letting Clay have a cup (with a LOT of cream!) in the mornings. I must say that I am quite impressed with how well he is doing with setting his alarm and getting up in the morning. Tim and I got up with him the first couple of days - but now I am asking him to just wake me up about 15 minutes before we need to leave. He has also been very responsible about coming home and getting right to work on his homework...dare I hope that he has turned over a new leaf?? Time will tell....

Paige's school does not start until 9:30...she leaves the house at 9:00 to catch the bus, so SHE gets to sleep in! She is loving it, too!! Although I really dislike these opposite schedules - I am enjoying spending some time with Paige in the mornings - without rushing!

Tim left for a three day Tokyo trip yesterday. He will be home Saturday night. Tonight is the open house at the high school - I am looking forward to meeting Clay's teachers and hearing about what he will learning this year. I started cleaning out his closet yesterday (I'm wondering what part of "no food in the bedrooms" he doesn't understand??!!) and hopefully I will finish it up and get his room and desk and closet and drawers all organized today!

A week of firsts.....

This has been a week of firsts....Clay's first day of high school, Paige's first day of junior high, both of them had their first day in public school, first day with lunch in a cafeteria, and today was the first bus ride to school. Aaaw. I told Paige I had my camera with me to get a photo of this momentous occasion - so she sprinted to the bus and I missed getting her. My kids have no respect for the papparazzi!! She was already a bit embarrassed because both Tim AND I were there to see her off....so I guess I'll let it slide. This time.

Clay told us that he really likes being in a public school. He said he likes "being anonymous". Paige is still feeling a wee bit overwhelmed by everything - she didn't know anyone in any of her classes, but she has already made a friend. Tim and I are a bit concerned because it appears that she may be repeating material she has already done...but we'll wait and see how it goes, I guess!

First day of school

I had to sneak the "first day of school" photos this morning by ambushing the kids once they were in the car and buckled in. You can see from Clay's photo that we had to get up at 5:30 am - and left for school at 6:30 am...in the dark!! I may have mentioned before that I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON!!!....so you can imagine how thrilled I am about it. I can't believe my baby boy is in high school. Both kids were a little bit nervous about starting at a new school, and their first public school as well. I can't wait to hear about their day!

Braces!

Paigey got her braces on this morning - she looks so cute, with her pink bands.....In other news...I am still battling with the middle school, trying to get Paige in the correct classes. I cannot believe what an unorganized MESS that place is. It doesn't fill me with a warm fuzzy feeling about 7th grade!

The last week of summer vacation....

Here's what we have planned for the week:

* Monday: a quick trip to the orthodontist so he can put a spacer back in Paige's mouth (fell out over the weekend), a run to Costco, the kids will start back at Taekwondo today....

* Tuesday: Paige gets her braces on in the morning, then Clay gets a haircut, then Paige starts back with Dance.

* Wednesday: Hopefully, a (final) beach day!! We are keeping our fingers crossed that the weather cooperates...Tim gets home Wednesday evening...

* Thursday: Paige orientation at school, dance and taekwondo in the afternoon....Tim has a doctor's appointment...

* Friday: Clay orientation at school...and hopefully, a final boat day (again, if the weather cooperates)

It has been a very busy weekend. Tim arrived home Friday night after we got 5 inches of rain in about 2 hours and everything flooded...our creek overflowed and was all over our driveway and yard...but apparently it was widespread here in Orange Park - drainage problems. With two storms out there in the Atlantic and one in the Gulf...I certainly hope they get these "drainage" problems fixed quickly! Yikes! Anyway, Tim arrived home Friday night, and yesterday he was busy trying to fix our toilet (which decided to break), then we had Clay's taekwondo party here at our house. Today he has been busy clearing all the debris from the yard and putting up a new mailbox. Clay has been a big help, so we rewarded him with a little fishing time...and look what he caught!

The kids and I went to church this morning while Tim was trying to fix everything around the house, and then I dropped Paige at a friend's house for a sleepover. Her friend Courtlyn (who has been her best friend since they were three years old) wanted to have a sleepover to introduce Paige to her friends, so that Paige will know some people when she starts at her new school next week. Isn't that sweet? I made a run to Target (it seems like a good time to stock up on batteries!!) and then to the Farmer's Market at Whole Foods...I bought all sorts of yummy, healthy stuff - cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes, honey, homemade dill pickles, plums, and a big pineapple. I was so inspired by my bounty (and felt so guilty for eating hamburgers, baked beans, chips, etc. yesterday...) that I made a big ol' salad with homemade honey-balsamic vinaigrette for dinner.

Tim has to go to work again tomorrow - poor guy...he only had two days off and has basically spent them repairing stuff around the house! I need to schedule back to school haircuts for the kids and get some school supplies and possibly make a run to Costco. And that's it!

The past few days have been a blur of laundry, errands, etc. Yesterday, I left the house for an hour and a half to run errands, and came home to find that someone had hit our mailbox. And left. Grrr.....Like we don't have ENOUGH to do around here?

Paige got her spacers in on Tuesday, so her mouth has been a little bit sore. She gets the braces on next Tuesday. I think I am finally caught up on the laundry, but now that the kids are home the house just will NOT stay clean. We have also been searching for a cat or kitten for Miss Paige - pure bribery to replace Gracie. Yes, Gracie the pooping dog is gone. We found a good home for her with an older woman who may have more patience for the housebreaking, etc. Tim and I just felt that at 8 months old - enough was enough! Paige was quite upset, until we bribed her with the promise of a kitten or cat of her very own. We have been searching high and low for the perfect feline friend for her!

A few more France photos.....

These two were taken at the water park...which Clay LOVED! (lots of cute French girls in bikinis!)

Famille Thomas....plus two!

Home sweet home....(plus a few more photos...)

Yesterday was a whirlwind - the flights to the U.S. were all oversold, with tons on non revenue (employees & families) listed...we were very, very nervous! We decided to try for the first flight out and then keep trying. We were amazed that we DID get on the flight to Chicago. Not only did we get on - Tim and I had seats in First Class and Clay and Paige sat in Business Class...It was a very pleasant flight. Unfortunately, we arrived in Chicago to find that the flight to JAX had already left (by the time we got through Customs and Immigration and cleared Security again) so had to sit in Chicago for about 6 hours before the next flight to Jacksonville. Which was also oversold. Ugh. We did manage to get on the flight though and arrived home at about 12:30....The photo above is Clay and Paige killing time at the airport....
I took this one as we were taking off (from my First class seat!!)....The Concorde....
This one was taken from the taxi on the way to Gare du Nord and the airport...the obelisk....
Our last day in Paris, Tim and I just walked around, shopped at a Monoprix (similar to Target here in the U.S.)...we passed this amazing bakery.....
Everything looked SO good....
This is a ship made out of bread. Amazing!

MORE photos.....

Last night Tim and I took a bottle of wine to the Champs de Mar by the Eiffel Tower and drank it and waited for the Tower to light up....
It was beautiful, and a balmy, breezy evening.....perfectly lovely.
Today we took a train ride to a medieval town about an hour and a half away from Paris. It was quaint and pretty (and OLD!)...and we had a fabulous day. Although, if I am being honest - I have to say that my feet are killing me! Lots and lots of walking - most of it up very steep hills.
The photo above is the ramparts of Provins....dating from the 12th or 13th century.
This is the view from Caesar's Tower....
Caesar's Tower
We watched a Knight's Tournament - which was wonderful (100 times better than Medieval Times in Orlando!!)

Tomorrow we will do more Paris stuff, and then head over to the TGV station at the airport to meet the kids....YAY....I can't wait to see them! Saturday (hopefully) we will get on a plane and fly home....wish us luck!

LOTS of photos....

A fountain we saw....I just liked the look of it!
Notre Dame....plus a few hundred people hoping to get in! Thankfully, we have both already been, so we just took a few photos...
The flying buttresses....
So pretty.....
...I finally got Tim to pose for me! After snapping a few photos, we headed to Ile St. Louis and a fabulous lunch....
This is the Place de Hotel De Ville....look to the upper left of the gates...do you see the four holes in the concrete? Tim explained to me that this was where the Germans drove a couple of panzers (tanks) into the square and fired heavy caliber machine guns into the entryway....and the French surrendered (WW II) Paris. Interesting, Oui?
This was some church we saw as we were walking along. No idea which one, but pretty, non?
I forget what monument to which dead dude this was.
Musee de Louvre....
Another monument to another dead dude near the Louvre....
La Seine......At about this point I had blisters on my feet from walking about a million miles in totally the WRONG sandals! Ugh. The RER (train) was al messed up - some stations were closed, etc....so we had to take a bus, which took us someplace we did not want to go....I was DYING (well, at least my poor feet were!) when my gallant husband spotted a taxi at a stop light and hopped in (I quickly followed)....
It turns out that we found the coolest taxi driver in Paris! He was rocking out to The Who, and explained to us that he loved the U.S....he used to live on the west coast in the early 70's...in further detail he explained that he was a hippie and lived in a commune....Rock on!!

J'adore Paris!

A walk along the Seine.....
These Egyptian guys were sitting all over. I'm not sure why, exactly...but it made for a great photo!
La Tour Eiffel....magnifique!
The non-revenue, space available gods were looking out for Tim and I yesterday...not only did we not have ANY trouble getting seats...we were in first class all the way. What a difference that makes - we are so lucky! We arrived in Paris around 8:30 this morning, and after an hour long bus ride to the hotel, we took a 4 hour nap and then walked around...we didn't really DO anything....(no museums, etc.) but we felt that just staying vertical was impressive! We are VERY tired!

Tim just left to find some sandwiches or something for a quick supper, and then we will hit the sack in our teeny tiny European hotel room. To give you an idea of the size of our room...imagine a king size bed (actually two singles pushed together, but that's the general idea)....now add about 1 1/2 feet around the king size bed, then add walls. That's it! The bathroom is so small that two people cannot fit in it together. And this is an UPSCALE hotel room right bythe Eiffel Tower....

Go Karting

Yesterday the kids went go karting.....
Clay.....
Paige....
Uh-oh! She crashed....
Yesterday morning they decorated a sheet. I am not really clear on WHY...but I think it was for the village party which they attended last night. Paige was very, very tired - she said they were there until after midnight. This morning they attended church. I asked Paige what it was like, and she said, "French. And long." Today I think they will have a quiet day and watch movies, and tomorrow they might go zip-lining.

Tim and I are leaving in the morning to fly to Washington, and then to Paris. I am excited about a couple of days in Paris with my hubby before picking the kids up Friday night and (hopefully) flying home with them on Saturday. I will try to keep the blog updates coming, but am not sure how much I will be able to post. A bientot!

Having fun!

It sounds as if Clay and Paige are still having a wonderful time in France. They have been swimming, and swinging on a rope into the pool....
They went shopping one day, and Paige bought herself a French sundress....Ohh la la.....
Paige and Louise baked a chocolate cake one day...
This one was taken at Vulcania....Clay, Monsieur Olivier, and Simon...
Yesterday they went horseback - well ponyback riding....
They loved it! Clay said, "Mom, I am actually pretty good at it!!"...they even galloped...although Paige says that her butt is sore now!
After riding, Clay said they were exploring a dried up creek bed when he saw a snake. He kept back, and asked Louise what it was. She didn't know, so went to get her father...who saw it and said "That is the most poisonous snake in France. Get away"....Clay said, "Leave it to the Florida boy to find the most poisonous snake in France"....apparently they had never seen one in the wild before....

One night at dinner they had sausages, and played a game = one sausage for ten French words. This photo is of Monsieur Olivier quizzing Clay and Paige for dinner! Clay ate 4 sausages! So, I guess he did learn something in French last year - even if his grades didn't reflect it!!