music with mummy

M and I did a music class with other English Children the other day. He was very shy and did not want to participate. Well we were late...30 mins late! And we were just kind of thrown into it. I should have planned better and showed up on time or early so M could meet the other children and the teacher first. But good news today he found his new musical instruments he received from Christmas and was playing with them. I think he remembered seeing some in his class. We have an art class coming up soon with the same group...I will be 15 mins early ;-)

la chandeleur

La Chandeleur is celebrated on February 2nd (same day as Groundhogs Day in the US) and it's the day of Crepes for the French!

It is really a Catholic Holiday celebrating a feast to commemorate the presentation of baby Jesus.

I made the crepe batter this year, here is F's recipe:

250 grams (2 cups) Flour (all purpose)
300 ml (~10 ounces) Milk
200 ml (~6 ounces) Beer
Salt
1 tablespoon Vanilla Sugar (or regular sugar)
shot of Rum
3 eggs
1 tablespoon of Vegetable Oil

Put flour/salt/sugar mixture into a mixing bowl and put the eggs into the center.  Beat eggs and flour mixture until incorporated.  Then add remaining liquids slowly to avoid lumps.

Grease a hot non stick crepe pan (we got ours from Bed Bath and Beyond OR 10 inch non stick omelet pan) with vegetable oil (do this after ever crepe). And pour 3/4 of a ladle and move it all around to cover the entire pan. Wait till crepe is browned slightly and pulls up from the pan easily. Flip and brown the other side. Normally we make all crepes ahead of time and place them on a plate over boiling water until ready to eat (to keep warm). 



With this recipe you can make sweet crepes or salty ones!  For the salty crepes we usually fry an egg (on a separate pan) and place it on top of ham and cheese then fold the crepe!  For sweet crepes I prefer strawberries and cream.  While F's fav is just white sugar with lime juice ;-0  We also like nutella and bananas.

There is a good luck/fortune tradition with making crepes on La Chandeleur. While holding a coin in your right hand, when the crepe is ready to be flipped make sure you flip it 180 degrees without dropping it! It will mean a prosperous year for you and your family ;-)

what to do in paris with a toddler (under 3)...in the winter!

It's so hard to find things to do with a young toddler in the Winter let alone in a new city. Many programs are for 3 years +. I will also put together an outdoor list as soon as it warms up here ;-)

Aquariums- My son is 19 months and enjoys seeing fish etc...at the Aquarium
Cine Aqua- is fairly expensive but when M is older they have tons of fun things for older children (movies, art projects, sting ray touch pool, puppet theater - M was a bit scared of this)
Palais de la Porte Doree - We have not visited this one yet

Indoor Parks/Children's Museum
Cite des Enfants - M is a bit too young but first thing after his 2nd birthday we will be sure to participate!
La Maison des Enfants - We have not tried this yet but would like to

Child Friendly Cafes with Play Areas - there are a few others in Paris but not close to my home...I think I found 2 or 3 in the 18eme...and more in the 16eme or 7eme
Le Poussette Cafe - they also offer Ateliers (workshops)

Ateliers
Mum & Babe- This is also a spa and salon with a child center - the price is included in your service!
RRose Selavy Ateliers d'Arts - 2+ years old. M is a bit too young they also have courses for adults as well!
Le Poussette Cafe - they also offer Ateliers (workshops)
Les Minots - We have not attended yet because they offer 2+ but they emailed me and said they are working on classes for 18 months+!!!

Museums
Natural History Museum- M loves to see the stuffed animals! They also have a special Children's Museum but it is for 6-12 year olds.
Musee National du Moyene Age - Workshops for baby and parents
Musee en Herbe - 2 1/2 years +
Centre Pompidou - 2 years +

Libraries
American Library - Mother Goose Hour in English!
La Maison des Contes

Centre Loisirs- Good thing to check in your own arrondissements Centre Loisirs via La Mairie's webiste for Baby Gyms, Bebe Nager (swim classes) etc...
Centre d'Animation Pole Simon Lefranc - 18 month +, 3 - 10 years, 10-15 years and Adult Ateliers (Workshops)
Centre Loisirs 10eme - Baby Gym, Baby Climbing