Magical Montsouris.

Not having too much planned on Friday morning, Mummy and Felix went to Parc Montsouris. It was a magical morning, the sun was shinning and the autumn leaves made for a stunning back drop. Felix insisted on bringing his 'Meno' ball.


So Felix and Mummy had a nice kick around on the grass, until we realised that it was 'interdit' as the grass was meant to be having a rest. Whoops!


So instead we set off to find the ducks ... funnily enough we found them with all the seagulls (obviously a long way from home, but a welome change to the usual Parisian pigeons).


The ducks were terribly social and quickly came over to say good morning to Felix.


Until they realised we didn't have any bread and did a quick exit stage left.


At this point Mummy realised that someone else would soon be feeling quite hungry so went set back home for lunch and a nice long sieste.

Day at Chartres.

On Friday Felix, Daddy and Mummy decided to set off to Chartres, an hours train ride from Paris, to see the beautiful cathedral town. It was a spectacular day although very chilly, luckily we were all rugged up.


First stop was lunch at a bistro that overlooked the cathedral and then we set off to to the cathedral, where Felix had great fun enjoying the echoes and the little praying chairs which were just the right size for him to stop and have a rest.


Of course on leaving Felix was more interested in the thousands of stones that made up the square. Little boy heaven.


We then went for a little wander around into the historic part of Chartres and discovered a beautiful little river that meandered through the town.


The rest of the afternoon was spent munching some delicious sweets at a chocolate shop, a long afternoon snooze for Felix and some static games on the train.


All-in-all a pretty good Friday.

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?

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?)

The little boy's schwerma.

Whilst we were in Heidelberg we decided to have a quick meal on the run and bought some schwermas. Knowing that Felix LOVES to eat what Mummy and Daddy are eating, we bought him one too.

(I know, I know, BAD PARENTS!)

The funny thing was that the schwerma was actually bigger than Felix's head ... needless to say he was very chuffed with himself.




At one stage Daddy was hovering for a taste and Felix very quickly pointed his little index finger at his own schwerma and said 'Zee-zeat' and pointed at Daddy's schwerma and said 'Dad-die' making it very clear which schwerma belonged to whom. (Mummy will remember that technique!)

A very clever little man to let his Daddy know that there was no way he was getting any of Felix's schwerma.

I have to say whilst he didn't eat all of it ... he polished off most of it and washed it down with a freshly squeezed kiwi juice.

No doubt the years will bring many more schwermas!

German forests.

What trip to Germany would be complete without a trip to a German forest. And so on Sunday afternoon we decided to go for a lovely walk in the forest around the hunting lodge where we stayed for the weekend. (We also hoped that some fresh air might help nurse the hangovers that we were feeling from the night before - especially Mummy & Daddy).




Surrounded by the most amazing green forest Felix looked very funky in Nanny's sunglasses and had a great time striding out with Daddy.

Although after all the walking it was nice for Felix and Daddy to share in a quiet moment together listening to the noises of the forest - the birds chirping and to hear just how lovely and quiet it was.




Felix really enjoyed the walk although was quite tired himself after such a big night and a big walk so insisted on being carried on the way back to the lodge.




Needless to say we shared the 'task of carrying' the 13 kilo little man.

Boats, weddings & little boys.

Felix, Mummy and Daddy joined Nanny and Pappie today for a cruise up the Necker river to the little town where the wedding was taking place. Felix was thrilled to see Nanny and Pappie again and had lots of fun running here, there and everywhere.


There was lots of giggles and laughter.

Then it was time for the more serious occassion of a wedding and of course his lovely little shirt again.



Felix highlights of the day were the bubbles ... especially the ones blown by Daddy;



... his typical German dinner of schnitzel and chips ;



...and generally causing havoc with another 2 year old german boy called Alexander.

The boys had great fun running EVERYWHERE and where completely oblivious to another little 22 month old girl who was very well behaved and quietly entertaining herself.

Mummy finally understands what everyone says about little boys having much more energy than little girls.

Sigh, this is only the beginning!

Heidelberg & the climb.

Felix, Mummy and Daddy visited Heidelberg castle on Friday for a day of sightseeing before the wedding. In true castle style, the Schloss was set up on the hill and so it was a very steep climb and our brave little man was pretty determined to tackle the hill all-by-himself.




Mummy and Daddy did have a giggle though, as it was more a case of one step up, two steps back. And yes it was very,very steep (note Daddy's face and position of hand))!!




It took us a rather long time with a detour into the garden, but eventually we made it up to the castle (okay with just a little help from Daddy along the way).



Although it certainly was worth the climb as the Castle balcony had the most stunning view of Heidelberg and the Necker river. A beautiful town surrounded by a stunning green forest - it was very reminiscent of Hansel and Gretel.


Just beautiful! But after a quick look at the view Felix was ready to move on and get down to the more serious business of steering his pram around the balcony rather than looking at the scenic view ... but what's a little boy meant to do I guess?




Except maybe have a wrestle with Daddy.



Once again it was great for him to exert all the energy as it meant Felix had a lovely long afternoon snooze whilst Mummy and Daddy ate lunch, wined (or beered) and shopped till we dropped.

Whoops!

Up, up and away.

Felix is fast becoming a member of the jet-setting toddler club and this weekend we were off to Heidelberg in Germany for another wedding (September is THE month for weddings in Europe).



Felix couldn't contain his excitement about getting on the plane and was madly running around and climbing all over the airport furniture. He loves planes now and airports are very interesting places for little boys who LOVE planes, trucks and buses.

It was great to see how excited he was when we were actually on the plane and he could open and close the window like crazy and watch all the exciting things taking place on the tarmac ... luggage being loaded, planes going past, buses zipping around.

Although Mummy's favourite part of the trip was when we were flying into Frankfurt over a rather large lake, Mummy pointed it out to Felix to which he replied ...

"Pud-dle".

Playgroup at Rodin.

Yesterday Felix and Mummy went to our weekly toddler playgroup in the garden of the Rodin Museum, to celebrate Amelia's 2nd birthday party - a fellow 'frogssie' (french-aussie).

The sun was shinning and the little-uns were having a great time playing in the sand with the buckets and balloons (yes that is the twins again with their cousin Raffi).


The older girls (2+) were leading the way, running all over the place and trying to rustle up those perfectly groomed hedges (the birthday girl Amelia, is in the pink pants).


It was a great way to pass a summer afternoon.