Ballerina Quarterback

Isabelle discovered ballet last night. She had worn this tutu laden pajama before, but never had it made her curious about the power of the tulle. No sooner did I utter, "Tippy toes," and she was 3 inches taller with her arms in a flattened circle around her face. She twirled and twirled, giggled and twirled for the next 15 minutes. Then, a sudden stop. "Now I want to play football," she yelled as she ran to the ball. For the next 45 minutes she was the Ballerina Quarterback.

Freakin' Monkeys

A few highlights from the 40th Bday trip to Paris and Marbella (with a side trip to Gibraltar to hang with the monkeys):

In our apartment in the 4th Arrond., Isabelle "pretends" to be heading to Paris:


Isabelle has a few new catch phrases: "Freakin' monkeys!!!!!" (freakin' emphasized with a punctuated snarl); "This is aaaaaaalll Pompidou," (finger wave); "The Eiffel Tower!" (after catching a glimpse of every cell tower).

A 2am swim in La Villa Marbella's pool. Neighbors loved it. And dolly Susan got her head stuck in a beer mug.

First escargot at Le Georges. Second at Hotel Costes (saved the shell for her memory tree).

The birthday getting a shout out in the NY Observer, thanks to Auntie Rory's new book promotion! She was interviewed while we were still in Spain.

Riding the carousel and playing in the playground near the Eiffel Tower.