September has started out beautifully, with warm, sunny weather. What better way to start the school year?

Back to school!

As the new school year comes up, we needed a new identity photo for Juliette, so Dad whipped out the camera and snapped off a few shots. Unfortunately, Dad did not win the contest to pick the final version that will be used.

Dad’s choice

The official version

After our vacation with Mom’s parents in the south of France, it was Grandpa’s turn to fly over from the States and spend a few weeks with the grandchildren. While I suspect he wouldn’t describe his vacation as relaxing, the kids loved spending time with him.

Sitting on Grandpa’s knee, doing arts and crafts. Pretty much a little girl’s dream afternoon.

In France, kids eat well. There’s rarely a chicken nugget or hot dog in sight. A menu like this one is pretty much standard fare.

“The chef proposes the same menu as the parents are eating. He will adjust the portion sizes accordingly.”

The kids have the choice between an appetizer and a main course, or a main course and a dessert.

A typical ‘kids menu’ in France

The summer school holidays mean that it’s time for the annual pilgrimage to see the grandparents in the south of France. Twelve hours of congested French autoroute later, we were there. Lesson learned: it turns out that there *is* a limit to how many times the kids will watch the same DVD in a row. We were armed with Frozen (4 times in a row) and Pingu (3 times in a row) as well as Sarah & Duck (only once). Still, it was enough to get us to the south and back.

We had left the warm, sunny weather of Basel only to discover that the south was cool and rainy. Not the best start to the break.

Still, the weather soon turned and we were enjoying the pool and the warm sunshine, and Mom and Dad even managed to sneak in a few adult evenings in a restaurant and a massage while Mami and Papi babysat.

Enjoying the pool

Mom and Alex

Mom and Juliette check out the view

Alex and Mami cooling off in the pool

Life gave us lemons. A whole tree full. So we made lemonade

A girl and her gator

Who you lookin’ at?

Papi takes his babysitting responsibilities seriously

Chilling out poolside and taking in the view

Alex tries to empty the pool, bucket by bucket.

Making good progress on emptying the pool. Papi will not be pleased.

Juliette is showing us her skeptical face.

Catching a few rays

Never underestimate the damage that can be caused by a single chocolate biscuit.

Did you enjoy your biscuit, Alex?

Alex likes to make sure he gets his money’s worth out of the high-definition TV.

Hey Alex, do you think you could get a little closer to the screen?

With the warm summer weather finally appearing after a very cold, wet May and June, we decided to take the kids to Zebuland.

Alex the Destroyer doesn’t quite understand the concept of a ball pool

It’s only taken two years, but Mom and Dad have finally finished the terrace behind the house. The kids are delighted to finally have a place to play!

Juliette’s enjoying the new terrace