Evan's first tooth falls out

This kid has been talking about the day he would lose his first tooth for months, or a year.  Especially as kids in his class have been loosing theirs.  Sometimes he would not have anything to tell from his day at school, except a story about someone's loose or missing tooth.  He has been fascinated with it!  And he has had a loose one for about 2 months.  Well, it finally came out today, on a field trip to the Boardman River Nature Center.  He is so proud and excited!  Though, he wants to keep it in its cute little tooth shaped container that Mrs. Rowney had given him.  He did write a note to the tooth fairy and stuck it under his pillow while the tooth stayed away in its special spot.  The note says, "I want to keep my tooth."

France

Home from our 10-day getaway.  And I think the best part of the trip is the feeling of being home!  We had a great time!  But when you have two sweet boys to come back to it makes you appreciate what you have here more than before you left.  During the long 20-some hour travel home, I kept thinking about seeing their smiles and squeezing them tight.  

It was incredible to see the sights of Paris and the Dordogne.  Both were quite different too.  In Paris, the famous sites came to life and we could really see them.  And the busyness and culture were neat.  The boulangeries everywhere, where we ate enough baguettes and pain au chocolat for awhile.  The never-ending food options.  Cafes with amazing food will piles of people sitting outside watching life unfold.  Walking along the Seine River.  Museums and art.  Architecture.  Surrounded by rich history and buildings over 500 years ago.  Some areas were a bit touristy.  People everywhere snapping zillions of pictures.  

Then we stayed in Domme.  This tiny little village inside the remains of a walled medieval village.  Again, 7 or more centuries of history and buildings.  Cute little stone houses on narrow stone streets.  Bright flowers.  Quietness.  It was usually empty except for the middle of the afternoon when the day-trippers or tour buses stopped in.  Though, we have heard in the summer, the Dordogne area is packed.  We were at restaurants with only 2 other people that meant for 100 people.  The most lively place was the market in Sarlat.  Which we visited twice.  Local produce, cheese, sausage, bread, jams, and soaps brought the locals out.  One of our favorite France moments was sitting in the warm sunshine drinking cafe viennois and eating crepes and watching the action.  We canoed the river visiting other ancient villages with castles from the around 13th century peaked high on cliffs.  We drove through the countryside on narrow winding roads seeing farmland, fields of wildflowers, forests, and quiet rural France life.  We practiced a little French.  

We were glad to spend the time together, walking, eating amazing food, drinking coffee, and taking in this country.  And the boys had a good time at home with Grandma.  Just a break from the routine to experience something new and a chance to spend time away from the kids.  But, now we are refreshed and thankful for the memories.