What Ana Does

Despite being the dead of winter with lows in the negative numbers and even too cold for Benny to walk to the bus stop, it's the time to start planning our summer camp plans. The park district camp registration is on Feb. 6 and if you aren't registering that day, there's a chance you won't get the sessions and locations you want. The horror.  We asked the kids what they want to do this summer and Alice insists on being home all day (there never was a more committed homebody) and Leah would rather "go anywhere" but back of the park district camp they were all last year. Neither of these scenarios is even close to possible, but I appreciate their input. After the success of the botanic garden mini-camp they attended for over winter break, I decided to break up their summer and send them for a few weeks at one camp then the other, which should keep them on their toes and not stuck in camp monotony. And the sessions really work together and will provide a go...

This week was the first week back to school for my girls.  They were both pretty excited to meet the teachers and start a new schedule. With my new job starting next week, I'm also looking forward to a little more structure in our lives. Happy but busy week getting everything where they needed to be.  Me and the Pre-K-er Look Who is In Second Grade?!  She Was Pretty Pleased About Her New School Clothes

Monet's Rue Montorgueil I had to come up with the first draft of the schedule for our dreamy Paris trip. Not to make you jealous to the point of hating me ... but I'm sharing: Sunday -- Arrive! Reception at Salon Opera ballroom Monday morning -- Montmarte Walking Tour (Amelie, right?!) Monday night -- Dinner at the Palace of Versailles Tuesday morning -- Rue Montorgueil shopping/tasting tour Tuesday afternoon -- St. Germain shopping tour (one or the other, or both) Wednesday morning -- Louvre Museum VIP tour (nonnegotiable!) Thursday morning -- D'Orsay Museum (Monet ... I'm coming!) Thureday afternoon -- Nortre Dame Thursday night -- Goodbye Dinner in Bercy Friday -- Depart! Yeah. You read that right. I have a dinner at the PALACE OF VERSAILLES. I need to find a cocktail dress and awesome pair of flats (because I will NOT be in heels if I get the chance to tour the gravel grounds) for the night. At the Palace. The Palace. That's my life now.

Remember when I was all about Sunday dinner? Yah, so it's not so easy. It's a bit difficult to fit into the erratic Sunday "schedule." But last weekend, we had a few additions at the dinner table; the three girls from next door. Sure it was just spaghetti, but it was fun! Fun at the Dinner Table