What's Up Monaco...

Hello everyone.  It's been AGES since I last wrote.  But I've been busy with a little project.

Introducing...

I created an on-line show about what to do in and around Monaco for families and kids.  When I moved here, I had the hardest time deciphering the signs or simply finding what to do with the kids and always wished someone had put it together for me.  In English.  So I could navigate my way.

Well, I decided to put my own talents to work and not wait anymore.

You can view the videos on Facebook @ "What's Up Monaco" or check out the website...


http://whatsupmonaco.wix.com/whats-up-monaco



I'm still working on parts of the website and eventually the site will be simply... www.whatsupmonaco.com

But, one thing checked off the list at a time.  I'm still trying to decipher information for the next show!  Two major problems with the "French Way", no info given unless asked specifically for it.  Seriously, there are signs for events going on without the time, place, fee, you name it!  And there isn't just one place to go to see all the events going on in town.  Geez, how's anyone supposed to get along around here?

Anyway, here it is.  Hope you like it!

Oh, the Lazy Days of Winter...

As life goes on everywhere in the world, so it goes here in Monaco.  We may have better weather, usually, than in other places, and well manicured streets, but it still RAINS!!!!!!  And by that I mean non-stop for three weeks, then a day of sun, then three more weeks non-stop.  Whew, I really am thinking there may have been a time when someone actually did need to build a boat and save mankind and the animals.

But that's NOT what this post, or blog is about.  Besides, I'm on the side of Bill Nye the "Science Guy."

Ok, so what is this post about???  Those days in between the rain and some during the rain.  Here's how we spent our time....

It's Carnaval time around here so it's the annual Carnaval Parade of cute school kids through the park...

We took advantage of a sunny day after Christmas to test out the new bikes...T took to it really fast.

Just gotta work on stopping.

 E had a swim exhibition where they showed off all the swim classes of Monaco.  Even the Prince and Princess made an appearance.  Since she's an ex-Olympian swimmer this is her baby.

That's E in the pink suit and red hat...

Ready...

Set...

Go...

Is the Prince really waving at me???  Actually it was at Taylor, I think. :)

Giving T and his friend next to him a little "hello".

Now she has a  medal of her own.

Last Sunday was a surprise sunny day after a whole week of rain so we jumped in the car with the bikes and headed out somewhere, anywhere, and it ended up being a cute little town North of Monaco and into France called Sospel...

A cool tunnel through a huge hill, or maybe a small mountain...whichever, it was cool.

Second time for both of them riding.  T's got the riding part down, just having trouble
starting and stopping.  Figured the soft ground would help!

After ten minutes, she got it.  Here she comes....

there she goes.

And lastly, T had his second gymnastics exhibition for the Silver level.  

Well done little man!

And there you have it, life goes on.

Although, I shouldn't complain about rain when many of my states family and friends are digging themselves out daily from snow drifts.  Stay strong, spring is around the corner!

Summer lovin'...

Well, the school year came to a close and summer was upon us.  As you know, we jetted off to a fun filled week in Greece and the kids did a week of art at the Grimaldi Forum.  They also did a week of tennis camp, but I didn't document that on film.  Sorry.  

So, the rest of the summer was filled with little bits of fun and finalized with two weeks in a rented house with a pool...

The view from where we live above the Port Hercules.  Summer's here, the sailboats are out in full force.

Food markets are full of summer veggies.

The International school had a big party for their students and parents, and to lure new families in.  It was pretty fun with kid's activities and lots of food booths.

If I had gotten to ride the pony too I might have been tempted to enroll... :)

Our future equestrian...

E and T take up the rear, their side won!

Monaco is of course right on the coast so it has it's own beaches, but if you don't want to do the sea, there's the pool in the Port Hercules.  It's open to the public and even has a machine at the entrance where you can buy swim suits and goggles and sun block.  Someone was thinking!  I'd say a woman was head of that committee. :)  You can rent loungers and an umbrella too if you wish.  We spent quite a few afternoons here...

And staying in the always busy Port Hercules, we watched the Jumping International competition.  It's amazing the events that get built up and torn down on a regular basis here in Port Hercules.  The only permanent fixture is the pool, and in the winter it's the ice skating rink.

You don't really even need tickets to sit in the stands, you can just stand around the ring and watch or sit in a restaurant along the ring and enjoy your lunch while watching the show.  I preferred to sit and relax, and the kids were free. :)

Then, it was August and time for a change of scenery.  Many people out here have "summer" houses and go there to get out of the "city", as if you can even call Monaco a city!  But, there is something to be said about having a little bit of lawn, and pool. and some crickets chirping.

This year it was in Bagnols en Foret, only an hour away.  It was a fun (and of course educational) two weeks!

We had water sports...

Target practice...

Track and field...

Meditation...

 Nature studies...

Cooking classes...

We splurged on a chef who cooked us dinners.  She made some yummy stuff and
even let the kids do some of the creating with her.

And Music...

Lucky for us the house had a piano, so we even added in a little culture!

Then, it was back to school.  Uggh, this is the pick-up chaos at T's school.  The kids come out of the doors on the sides of this little glass area and all the parents crush themselves in there to get them.  Of course there are better ways of doing this, but typical French, they don't care to change it.  C'est la vie...

So there you go, it's back to the daily routine.  Once I rest, I'll be back with more of the adventure soon.  .. :)