Le ballet de l'Opera national de Paris is held at the Palais Garnier, an absolutely gorgeous theater that underwent a huge restoration project of many years; a few years ago it was reopened and now concerts, operas and ballets are seen and heard there again. Our Christmas gift this year from Matt and Jeanne was a night at the ballet, "La Source". But for any night at the Palais Garnier, the main event is the theater itself; the opera, the ballet, the concert: those are just the icing on the cake.
Our evening started before our arrival at the Palais Garnier. Since Jeanne's parents were going too, we met them for hors d'oeuvres and drinks, then drove to the Palais. Our seats were in the very first row of the mezzanine, directly in the center! A terrific view of the stage.
I spent the few minutes before the beginning of the ballet staring like a little kid (eyes wide open, mouth wide open) at the domed ceiling painted by Chagall, at the red velvet chairs and the gorgeous gold carvings around the stage and the boxes on the sides of the theater. It was surreal to be there. The ballet was wonderful, the dancers leapt and twirled and the costumes were magnificent, but the theater itself was the star.
At the intermission we were able to see the lobby with its beautiful tall Christmas trees, and the grand staircase, which defies description. Just imagine the grandest staircase you've ever seen, and you'll have it.
When we left the Palais that night, my head was filled with ballerinas, tutus, red velvet and chandeliers. We didn't want to go back to the apartment right away so wandered the streets for awhile, but finally got onto the Metro like the ordinary folks we are, and headed for "home". An amazing, amazing night. We felt like royalty and I, at least, walked on air from the Metro to the apartment. Thanks, Matt and Jeanne!
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Grandpa Power
James took a while to get used to me. Now he comes to me and seems really comfortable, but that acceptance developed slowly. Grandpa was a different story. Almost immediately, James was attracted to Tom. It's impossible to know if the attraction comes from both of them being male, the timbre of Tom's voice or something else. The affinity is there, and Grandpa is thrilled at being the adult of choice (when Mom and Dad aren't around).
James is so different from Juliet in so many ways, the most obvious being his love of eating. I can remember cajoling Juliet to eat, begging her to take just one more bite, promising chocolate or cheese if she would eat just a little more. James has never seen a food he won't try, and very few he doesn't like. He will finish his own food, and sample any other food that's on the table. Today at lunch James finished the vegetables we had brought for him, ate a little of his father's lasagna, ate some of Jeanne's pizza, some of Juliet's pasta, had an apple chestnut compote, and later part of my chocolate muffin. That's a lot for a one-year-old!
He is a very strong-willed child. No matter how many times you tell him to sit down in his high chair, he will stand up again and again. He has been repeatedly punished, but continues to run into the bathroom, climb up on the steps, turn on the water and run his hands through it, thoroughly soaking his sleeves. If he can reach it, he will take his toothbrush (or anyone else's) and brush his teeth. He loves anything electrical that makes a lot of noise; he will get the vacuum cleaner out of the closet and try to plug it in and turn it on. He will drag the hair dryer out of the bathroom and cart it all over the apartment.
He is so sturdy and strong that when you're carrying him, if he decides he wants down, it is a struggle to prevent him from escaping your arms. He will writhe, wriggle, arch his back, grunt, stiffen his arms and legs and try to throw himself out of your grasp. I can't hold him when he does this, but his Grandpa can. Grandpa power!
James is so different from Juliet in so many ways, the most obvious being his love of eating. I can remember cajoling Juliet to eat, begging her to take just one more bite, promising chocolate or cheese if she would eat just a little more. James has never seen a food he won't try, and very few he doesn't like. He will finish his own food, and sample any other food that's on the table. Today at lunch James finished the vegetables we had brought for him, ate a little of his father's lasagna, ate some of Jeanne's pizza, some of Juliet's pasta, had an apple chestnut compote, and later part of my chocolate muffin. That's a lot for a one-year-old!
He is a very strong-willed child. No matter how many times you tell him to sit down in his high chair, he will stand up again and again. He has been repeatedly punished, but continues to run into the bathroom, climb up on the steps, turn on the water and run his hands through it, thoroughly soaking his sleeves. If he can reach it, he will take his toothbrush (or anyone else's) and brush his teeth. He loves anything electrical that makes a lot of noise; he will get the vacuum cleaner out of the closet and try to plug it in and turn it on. He will drag the hair dryer out of the bathroom and cart it all over the apartment.
He is so sturdy and strong that when you're carrying him, if he decides he wants down, it is a struggle to prevent him from escaping your arms. He will writhe, wriggle, arch his back, grunt, stiffen his arms and legs and try to throw himself out of your grasp. I can't hold him when he does this, but his Grandpa can. Grandpa power!
Thursday, December 25, 2014
The Four-Year-Old Heart
Juliet has been acting strangely around me. I thought she was just teasing me by sticking out her tongue at me, running away when I would try to hug her, and pushing me away when I tried to interact with her in any way. I thought we were teasing each other but it turns out she was serious in the way only a four-year-old can be. Tonight as she was giving me a hard time, she whipped the Elsa hat off her head and hit me with the braid; her mother saw this, reprimanded her and took her upstairs. A little while later they came downstairs, and Juliet, with tears in her eyes, apologized and said she loved me. Jeanne explained that all the attention I have been giving to James had Juliet thinking that I didn't love her any more. It was all I could do not to cry myself as I hugged Juliet and told her that I loved her and I would always love her.
You forget how fragile four-year-old hearts are, and how instantly they can be devastated by the slight of a friend, discipline of a parent or harsh word from a teacher. One minute she is smiling as she leaps across the room in pirouettes, and the next she has collapsed in tears, sobbing as if her heart would break. And James, at 1, is the same of course. He has a smile that lights up the room, and a piercing shriek and voluminous wail when things aren't going his way.
I will be more conscientious about reassuring Juliet of my love, giving her my attention and some praise, and spending some precious alone time with her. I will keep explaining to Juliet that paying attention to James doesn't mean I love him more; it means he is littler and needs more help and supervision. I never worry about James getting enough attention; he sees to that, as he's constantly running full tilt at life, caution to the wind, with a smile or a shriek. I love them both so fiercely that I would clone myself if I could, and spend all my time with each of them.
You forget how fragile four-year-old hearts are, and how instantly they can be devastated by the slight of a friend, discipline of a parent or harsh word from a teacher. One minute she is smiling as she leaps across the room in pirouettes, and the next she has collapsed in tears, sobbing as if her heart would break. And James, at 1, is the same of course. He has a smile that lights up the room, and a piercing shriek and voluminous wail when things aren't going his way.
I will be more conscientious about reassuring Juliet of my love, giving her my attention and some praise, and spending some precious alone time with her. I will keep explaining to Juliet that paying attention to James doesn't mean I love him more; it means he is littler and needs more help and supervision. I never worry about James getting enough attention; he sees to that, as he's constantly running full tilt at life, caution to the wind, with a smile or a shriek. I love them both so fiercely that I would clone myself if I could, and spend all my time with each of them.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
One Among Many
It's a difficult thing, being the Grandma (who really needs constant attention) among so many other interesting family relations. There are cousins, aunts, uncles and that other set of grands, Grandmere and Grandpere. I hate to admit that I get jealous when Juliet squeals with delight at the entrance of her Grandmere. I understand that she wants to spend the entire afternoon tailing her 12-year-old cousin, Lena. There's nothing more fun than hanging around with an older girl cousin when you're four. And Lena is so sweet to Juliet.
Now, having admitted that I am so childish as to be jealous of Juliet's attention to others, I must also say that Juliet loves to torture me this way; she pretends that she loves everyone better than me. She obeys her Grandmere but says "no" to me. She won't let me help her do anything. She refuses my attention but goes to Marie and snuggles with her, as she glances at me coyly to see if I'm bothered. I am. The little monkey has my number!
The other phenomenon I experience is feeling like one of the children. I am the only adult who doesn't speak perfect French; sometimes I understand the conversation but at other times I shut it out because it's just too exhausting to try to "translate" everything. Like the children, I don't have much to add to the conversation. Like the children, I listen politely and follow directions. Like the children, I am silent much of the time. It must be difficult for the family, too, since they want to include me in the conversation. They do try, and translate for me at times. I feel welcome and part of the family, even if I'm a small part.
Now, having admitted that I am so childish as to be jealous of Juliet's attention to others, I must also say that Juliet loves to torture me this way; she pretends that she loves everyone better than me. She obeys her Grandmere but says "no" to me. She won't let me help her do anything. She refuses my attention but goes to Marie and snuggles with her, as she glances at me coyly to see if I'm bothered. I am. The little monkey has my number!
The other phenomenon I experience is feeling like one of the children. I am the only adult who doesn't speak perfect French; sometimes I understand the conversation but at other times I shut it out because it's just too exhausting to try to "translate" everything. Like the children, I don't have much to add to the conversation. Like the children, I listen politely and follow directions. Like the children, I am silent much of the time. It must be difficult for the family, too, since they want to include me in the conversation. They do try, and translate for me at times. I feel welcome and part of the family, even if I'm a small part.
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Saddle Sore
There's not much room left in the back seat of a Citroen C5 when you have two car seats installed. I sat on one cheek, between James and Juliet, for about an hour before I discovered that you can force your entire buttocks and thighs between the car seats if you really push and squirm. After that I was much more comfortable. The trip to Saint Malo took about four and a half hours, with a half hour rest and rejuvenation stop. Matt sat in the back for the second half of the trip.
I am always impressed with how much people in France support and affirm families. At the rest stop today, the restrooms were very clean, and there was a separate room for changing babies' diapers. Outside was a play area with a slide and jungle gym, for ages 2 to 12. There were families with young children at almost every table in the dining area.
Tonight at our restaurant in Saint Malo, there was an entire room just for babies, with a changing table, a microwave to heat up baby's dinner, and some space in case your toddler needed to be calmed down.
In Levallois where the kids live, a magazine comes out quarterly, listing all the classes, activities and special events that are family friendly. Matthew tells me that the lists are amazing: classes for every sport and many hobbies, events put on by the local government, festivals, parades, etc. I'm not sure if France is going through a population growth spurt but it seems that everywhere I look I see babies, babies, babies! And people smiling at them and at their parents.
I am always impressed with how much people in France support and affirm families. At the rest stop today, the restrooms were very clean, and there was a separate room for changing babies' diapers. Outside was a play area with a slide and jungle gym, for ages 2 to 12. There were families with young children at almost every table in the dining area.
Tonight at our restaurant in Saint Malo, there was an entire room just for babies, with a changing table, a microwave to heat up baby's dinner, and some space in case your toddler needed to be calmed down.
In Levallois where the kids live, a magazine comes out quarterly, listing all the classes, activities and special events that are family friendly. Matthew tells me that the lists are amazing: classes for every sport and many hobbies, events put on by the local government, festivals, parades, etc. I'm not sure if France is going through a population growth spurt but it seems that everywhere I look I see babies, babies, babies! And people smiling at them and at their parents.
Back in the Saddle Again
Brief time out for Grandma and Jeanne: two days of the stomach flu. Matthew says it's almost epidemic in Paris right now, which does not make us feel better, but does make us grateful that so far, James, Juliet and Matthew haven't gotten it!
Today we are off to Saint Malo for a pre-Christmas dinner with the extended family. This year Yves and Claudie are hosting, and we'll have dinner at a restaurant tomorrow. It will be good to see the family again. After the dinner we'll be off to Morlaix for five days. Christmas Eve there will be a huge dinner with many traditional dishes; Christmas morning has come to be known as "American breakfast". The family loves this breakfast (I'm convinced because they can eat like Americans, guilt-free, one day of the year)! We'll serve smoked salmon, egg casserole, muffins, buttermilk biscuits, fruit, endive salad and something for dessert (pear-apple clafouti?) that Jeanne, the beautiful baker, will come up with. I hope that by then both she and I will be eating normally!
Today we are off to Saint Malo for a pre-Christmas dinner with the extended family. This year Yves and Claudie are hosting, and we'll have dinner at a restaurant tomorrow. It will be good to see the family again. After the dinner we'll be off to Morlaix for five days. Christmas Eve there will be a huge dinner with many traditional dishes; Christmas morning has come to be known as "American breakfast". The family loves this breakfast (I'm convinced because they can eat like Americans, guilt-free, one day of the year)! We'll serve smoked salmon, egg casserole, muffins, buttermilk biscuits, fruit, endive salad and something for dessert (pear-apple clafouti?) that Jeanne, the beautiful baker, will come up with. I hope that by then both she and I will be eating normally!
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
What's a Docious?
This post is one I meant to write a while ago. At the time Juliet was enthralled with the movie "Mary Poppins". (Now she's enthralled with "Frozen" and "Singin' in the Rain".) "Singin' in the Rain" really throws me because she's only four, but I suppose it's the dancing she likes.
Every night Juliet would ask to watch "Mary Poppins", and because she didn't get that much time to watch videos, she would only see 15 or 20 minutes of the movie before bath time, or dinner time. Some times she watched the same 20 minutes of the film several nights in a row; other times she would watch straight through to the end. She loved the songs and could sing many of them; her favorite was "Let's go fly a kite". Right away Tom and I resolved to bring kites when we vacationed with her on the beach in South Carolina. We did, and many a rousing chorus of "Let's go fly a kite" was heard on Myrtle Beach this August!
I left for home on a Saturday, and Juliet had a swimming lesson that morning. As she was leaving for her lesson, her parents were expaining to her that I was going home to Indiana and I wouldn't be there when she came home. She started crying and said, "Oh, wait and leave tomorrow" but I told her I had to go that day. Then she moaned and said, "Oh, no, it's just like Mary Poppins!!" Despite my reassurances, she was inconsolable. I was flying away and I would never return.
I was talking to Matthew a few weeks later. He said one night when he was tucking Juliet into bed she asked him, "Daddy, what's a docious?" Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious...
Every night Juliet would ask to watch "Mary Poppins", and because she didn't get that much time to watch videos, she would only see 15 or 20 minutes of the movie before bath time, or dinner time. Some times she watched the same 20 minutes of the film several nights in a row; other times she would watch straight through to the end. She loved the songs and could sing many of them; her favorite was "Let's go fly a kite". Right away Tom and I resolved to bring kites when we vacationed with her on the beach in South Carolina. We did, and many a rousing chorus of "Let's go fly a kite" was heard on Myrtle Beach this August!
I left for home on a Saturday, and Juliet had a swimming lesson that morning. As she was leaving for her lesson, her parents were expaining to her that I was going home to Indiana and I wouldn't be there when she came home. She started crying and said, "Oh, wait and leave tomorrow" but I told her I had to go that day. Then she moaned and said, "Oh, no, it's just like Mary Poppins!!" Despite my reassurances, she was inconsolable. I was flying away and I would never return.
I was talking to Matthew a few weeks later. He said one night when he was tucking Juliet into bed she asked him, "Daddy, what's a docious?" Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious...
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