Mummy's turns 33.

(Actually Mummy's really 34 but she thinks she'll go along with Daddy and Felix on 33.) She was very a very spoilt scorpio this morning and inundated with presents in bed.


Felix gave Mummy all her presents, opened the presents and then promptly took the presents away so Mummy couldn't even see what she had received. One of the presents Felix didn't manage to steal was a brand new lens for her camera which was very exciting.


And of course she had to put it to good use on her favourite subject...



Once or maybe twice ...


No doubt there will be some more birthday photos to follow.

That Tower.

Sunday afternoon was spent by the Eiffel Tower - when in Paris do as the tourists do (60 million per year)! But in reality there could be worse things to do on a lovely autumn afternoon, strolling by the Seine with the Eiffel Tower as a back drop.


Aunty Kim and Uncle Barrie decided to see the views from up top and braved the queues (and the crowds).


I am sure if you look carefully you can see them in the lift of the tower too...


In the meantime Felix was striding out below looking very blasé about the whole thing. But of course it didn't take long before the boys started being boys. Felix pushed the stroller and Daddy was on his phone (and yes okay Mummy was taking photos!).


Okay and maybe there was a chocolate waffle moment thrown in there too somewhere...


Then Daddy took some lovely portrait shots of Felix and Mummy ...


Uh huh. Thanks Darling!


Although they are kinda arty don't you think?

Shakers at the Louvre.

This morning after a rather lazy morning chez nous, we set off to the Louvre to meet Aunty Kim and Uncle Barrie who had spent the morning admiring all the art (and the crowds) at the museum.


Of course Felix and Daddy decided to do a quick spot of shopping first with the hordes of Sunday shoppers at the Carousel (one of the few places to be open on a Sunday in Paris).



We met Aunty Kim and Uncle Barrie who had some more presents for Felix - some music shakers & maracas! Aunty Kim thought it would be good to develop Felix's musical side (Mummy agrees). Although Daddy wasn't quite so sure this was the most practical of gifts!



Felix wasted no time and immediately started rattling and shaking to the amusement of everyone. He seemed pretty content with his presents.


Thanks Aunty Kim and Uncle Barrie.

Boatrides on the Seine.

It's always great when we have our 'proche' visiting Paris as we get the opportunity to do those touristy things that you usually just don't get a chance to do.

And so today Felix went on the Bateaux Mouches on the Seine with Aunty Kim, Uncle Barrie, Mummy and Daddy to see Paris by water.


Felix enjoyed looking at all the other boats and he LOVED going under all the little bridges or tunnels as he called them and had great fun with Aunty Kim and Uncle Barrie.


Mummy and Daddy really enjoyed the boat ride too although they ended up with way too many photos of the Eiffel Tower, from every possible angle ... I think Uncle Barrie might have had the same problem too actually!


But all-in-all it was a great afternoon with lots of Kodak moments (or should that be Nikon & Canon moments?)

Happy 60th Nanny!

Felix wanted to send an extra special "Happy 60th Birthday" message to his Nanny all the way over in Mooloolah Valley in Queensland. Word has travelled that Nanny has had some wonderful festivities, and Mummy and Daddy also had some celebrations for her in Paris overnight too.



Happy Birthday Nanny!!

Aunty Kim, Uncle Barrie & the eye.

Aunty Kim and Uncle Barrie arrived in Paris this afternoon and Felix and Mummy met them at Gare de l'Est after their train trip from Germany. We made it back to their hotel with a very jovial portugese cabbie.


Of course Aunty Kim and Uncle Barrie came armed with presents for Felix and the first one was a crazy eye that actual has a fluorescent glow when hit very hard.



It was a great hit even if it was quit disturbing to look at!


Felix was thrilled to see his Aunty Kim and Uncle Barrie again although he was a little perplexed as to why Uncle Jonno wasn't with them ... Mummy explained he was back in Australia with Nanna Carol.



We then went out for an evening kir on Rue de Rivoli whilst Felix had a delicious dinner of a croque monsieur (french style toasted ham and cheese sandwich). Then it was off home to rest for a big weekend of sightseeing.

Who's the boss.

Well it has to be said there is only one boss in our household. Very well guessed - Felix!! He is becoming quite the little tyrant demanding where we sit, when we should get up, when to lie down, what he should eat, what book to read, in what room, whether to go to the park or not ... and he is pretty adament about it all. But many fellow mothers have reassured me this is perfectly normal. Isn't it?

Gulp ... and he's not even two yet.

Ball games.

Nothing beats playing some ball games mid week to pass the time and also to brush up on those co-ordination skills.


Felix seems to have acquired many balls in his 22 months, both big and small but today he chose the Nemo ball (or should I say 'Meno' as Felix likes to call him).


Sometimes Nemo and Dory just rolled along, other times they bounced and sometimes there was an almighty throw ... from Felix luckily!



And of course every now and then it is always nice to sit and have a rest from all the exertion. Phew...


Then of course its straight back into playing in his bedroom. At which stage Mummy decided to sneak out to start preparing his roast chicken and grape tomato pasta.



What a carefree life toddlers have!

Scarf season.

Well it's now official that scarves are out of the cupboards and fast hitting the Parisian streets. Today Felix wore his new sausage dog scarf to and from the garderie (no doubt Daddy & Bon Papa will both appreciate the dogue selection, being avid dachshund fans!!).


Felix was pretty chuffed with his dog scarf and had great fun showing it off. He also seemed to enjoy mimicking Mummy's photo taking position. (Little rascal!)


Nevertheless it seems that Mummy's LOVE of scarves has been passed on to young Felix. Good thing as Mummy has stocked up on a few ... to match those numerous coats!!


One has to get through a european winter somehow!!

Racey cars.

You can imagine the glee in Felix's eyes when Mummy pulled out some racing cars that he had never seen before. (They had been tucked away in a cupboard waiting for a rainy day).


Felix quickly understood that if placed in the top, the four cars would zip down the different levels, shoot out the bottom and then race across the floor.


Felix was quite taken by the vibrant colours and commented on each colour as the cars zipped down "Yellow.Blue Green. Red". But then disaster struck and the race course collapsed ... whoops!


MMMMMUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYYYYYYY ... HELP!



So of course Mummy started rebuilding the track (which is remarkably tricky as they all have to be joined together in a particular way).


But a few minutes later the track was ready for action once more and Felix was again was a happy little chap.

Reading obsession.

It is getting increasingly evident that Felix has developed a reading obsession. Today Mummy managed to persuade Felix to read in the lounge room as opposed to Mummy and Daddy's bed, which was a nice change of scenery. First book was Maisy, of course!


Mummy was told to 'sit down' next to Felix and so she picked up a book to read too. It was very sweet to see him read himself the story and change his intonation as the book progressed.


By this stage Felix decided that he didn't want Mummy to read anymore, but yes she did have to stay sitting next to him. So Felix promptly took the book from Mummy and had a few on the go at the same time, in both french and english.


I guess he could have worse obsessions, couldn't he!