Ze Voice

Our family has managed to steer clear of tv competitions. But being in our 2nd year in France, we thought it might be fun to follow along with one of the nation's top shows - The Voice (pronounced Ze voice!) It airs every Saturday night from 9 pm till late - very late! Our lovely, rural friends who love the simple life in the Pyrenees got us to watch the first episode of this season and it's been part of weekly schedule ever since. Here the kids dress up as if they were contestants.

I just can't get enough

Some more New Year's fun

On New Year's Day we all enjoyed a trip to the jardin d'acclimatation

Sophie braved her first roller coaster - alone!

Seb suited up for the zip lines

and relaxed on Enchanted River

A great way to end the first day of the year - to fly!

New Year's Eve as it was

a small supper at home

teaching our youngest to pop the cork

and knit!

More happy trails

Colourful duo working the wheel

A soft spot for...

The Pyrenees seem to have wiggled their way into our hearts. It certainly helps that they are beautiful and are sprinkled with semi-wild ponies and many, many sheep who give their milk to make delicious brebis. The mountains hold the allure of terrific hiking & dangle the possibility of skiing (though once again it was too mild). They form the border between France and Spain (yes, we walked into Spain!!) and contain the ancient kingdoms of Navarre & Andorra. And then the best bit, some lovely friends!

We WILL always have Paris

He has clearance

Despite last week's tragedy or perhaps because of it, we are clinging to our many wonderful memories of the city of lights and planning what we will do on our one day stopover next month.

enjoying the windows of Galerie Lafayette

how one sips at the chateau

Chateau de Versailles (after a 2 hour queue to get in)

ah the finery

The sibs strut their stuff in Marie-Antoinette's 'hamlet'

Elle boude dans le boudoir / She pouts in the pouter?

Waiting for dinner at the Bouillon Chartier

Lovely way to start the new year 

absorbed in technology

the colours of my life

New PJs to ring in 2015

Here are the cuddly dressing gown and fleecy onesie pyjamas that the kids received from Auntie Dorothy & Uncle Peter. The kids are thrilled. Thank you!

Our lovely, growing lad

and that's not even his best smile

Epiphany 2015

The galette du roi was very carefully divided into equal portions

and this fine fellow bit into the "feve" and was proclaimed king

We keep coming back for more

We are so very fortunate to be able to say "we will always have Paris". And yet every visit, we pack a lot in!

Fondation Louis Vitton commissioned Frank Gehry to build their new art gallery

The Foundation lends out tablets with an architectural app aimed at 8-12 year olds. It worked wonders!

We caught the site-specific light installation by Olafur Eliasson

New Year's Day we went skating at the Grand Palais  - Europe's largest indoor skating rink

and perhaps the world's most beautiful

Sophie needed some confidence boosting because it's been 2 years and she has never had real lessons.

Ready to soar to never-neverland and beyond

This child is only just beginning to be aware of her own (super) powers. Can't wait to see her try her wings!

And so 2015 arrives

From the four of us to each and every one of you, a happy & healthy New Year. May your days be full of learning and laughter; may you find yourself in the best of company; and may you cross paths with us!