An overdue birthday salute

There are 3, yes three, birthdays in November and so hats off to the last of the brood.

Despite loving all the Apple products, no gift came from there

First off it was a trip with Mum to Bordeaux to see a movie and search out a birthday gift.

On our way to see a movie at a converted church; it included references to "Buffalo Bill" - thus the lasso

Taking the train home with a well-deserved chocolate S

Then on her birthday itself, we opened all the pressies and hosted 5 girls for an after-school party.

Seb's 10th birthday present was high tech; Sophie's 7th was not - wooden building planks.

but moments later this is what we were all doing

All the friends

Baker dad

Well, there is one more birthday. 

Grandma's!!

Must be doing something right

On those crazy days when I want to huff off or pull my hair out and scream, I need to pull these snaps out instead. These two lovely bundles of energy and personality, who seem to like each other and reading!

Studying hard

I find it quite ironic that the only non-French child in the class got perfect on the (French) history test last week. Can't wait to put that learning to the test with Christmas in Paris!

Need no words to describe

Those eyes get me every time

The rain was not in Spain

Last month's hike left us all with wet, wet feet.

The wonders of Madrid

So after we parted ways in Venice - with me heading to work for 5 days in Geneva and the rest of the family heading home via Florence and San Remo - my love and I met up for a long weekend to discover Madrid.

Yet another snap of this man swanning around sunny European squares

We stumbled across the annual pork festival

The real stars of the weekend!

The cabaret we went to see - it's a long story which involves being lost and found and random acts of kindness

There was food! Some great tapas were consumed

And yes in a country that prides itself on wine, the man found some good artisanal beers

As a Brit, I am used to carrying some colonial guilt. But boy, Spain must have whalloped Latin America... 

gorgeous Plaza Major

and we were there! together!!

Yet more very fine, thick hot chocolate; this time with churros and OJ

Still crazy after all these years...

Other highlights were zipping into incredible art museums for free - yes FREE to the Public - imagine!; riding the clean, efficient, extensive and affordable public transit system; running in some stunning parks (including a reclaimed highway), mouching around El Rastro (a 500 year old market that was right outside our apartment window); and shopping (yes, shopping with my other 1/2).

Me and my gal pal

Happy birthday, love bug

Now here is a clever thing

My co-parent enjoying a complimentary glass of wine and a sausage after a children's performance in Turin. Made total sense to us.

Commute by water

I did it in Bangkok; I think I could get used to it in Venice

Happy birthday to us!

First up, on November 6, Mr S who was turning one full decade old!

                                     having some presents with brekkie

His pizza and movie party

plus cake by his loving Nana

A geometry set made from peanut-free chocolate!

His main present from us came towards the end of the day, after a
 'light' look at responsibility and how much he has matured

Hard to see but father and son programming the very new (to us) wifi-enabled iPod. Exciting, daunting and yes, has already created a few rows... 

November 7 - the lull day

 A quick moment for Nana to open her
glass gifts that the children had selected in Morano

November 8 - a mighty fine Friday for the lady of the house

Handmade ravioli stuffed with squash and lemon!! (dessert was molten chocolate cakes)

Pottery from my two poppets and our wonderful potter

Running gear from the man who can outpace me with his shoelaces tied together

Wool socks that would make my Mum proud; passion fruit chocolates,
and my very own Murano paperweight from Seb

and then some wonderful things from my dear sis -
no wonder her luggage was so heavy!

Sebastian's perspective on Italy