Towers and Tulips

Grade 8 Field Trip to Paris

Ike was able to spend five amazing days with his classmates in beautiful downtown Paris.

Parents were not invited to chaperone (sniff sniff) but he came back on cloud nine.
We've noticed quite a change in Ike since he came back. He's become more confident, happy and really enjoying his experience here. He now wants to hang out with his friends more and is exhibiting some real signs of independence. uh-oh...

Ike and Ben Jose

Reason for the pink hoodies you ask? 

The kids got to pick out new hoodies for the trip and they all picked this pink color! 

I am thinking it was a brilliant choice as they were all so easy to identify! 

A ride down the Seine River

Arc de Triomphe!

Stade de France - futbol arena

Disneyland Paris

The Louvre- Ike got to see Leonardo Davinci's masterpiece the Mona Lisa

Spencer got to spend a half a work week in Wales - So beautiful

Check out the rugged terrain 

TULIPS!

Mary Fitzgerald and I jumped in our car Friday morning and drove a quick six hours to the Netherlands to enjoy the famous Keukenhof Festival. WOW! It was unbelievably amazing. It was worth the drive and we are hoping to take our families back next year. 

It seriously looked like the Garden of Eden

There were miles and miles of manicured gardens...

absolutely breathtaking whichever direction you looked

I thought it almost looked fake it was so stunning! 

We spent Saturday in Amsterdam. I love this city!

We took a bike tour all around the city

Had to try our jumping poses!

Sadly though, as we were taking these photos with our iPhones, someone walked by and swiped my beautiful big camera. It was SO sad for me. The only thing I could think was, 'thankfully, they didn't take my purse..' 

Mary tried her first waffle and like the rest of us, joined the

 ranks of dreaming about them at night...SO YUMMY! 

Rijks museum - Home of many of Rembrandt's paintings

Our tour guide - he had such a potty-mouth, but luckily the day 

was beautiful and the ride was a lot of fun

We look like the Dutch bob-sledding team! haha

We ended our day on a river boat cruise through the city. 

Another gorgeous night. I'm always sad at how pictures never 

turn out as gorgeous as the actual experience. 

Back at the ranch, Spence and Jason had the kids together for dinner 

and a movie night complete with popcorn and milkshakes!

 A couple days after I returned home, a few ladies from ACS asked if I wanted 
to go see the bluebell fields in Dorking. (Yes that is the name of the town). 
It was such a pretty day and the bluebells did not disappoint.