Joyeux Septième Anniversaire Chere Max!

Today is Max's SEVENTH birthday. I can't believe it's been all those years since he was born. We started the day REALLY EARLY and opened his presents. He got what he loves most in the world: Bakugans.

For the past couple of weeks I have been asking him what he wanted to do for his birthday, but he never gave me any definite answers. But this morning when we told him he could decide what we wanted to do the whole day, here's the agenda he came up with:

• Lunch at McDonald's (I know, I know, but it's his birthday! No comments from bossy French friends).
• Go to the top of the Eiffel Tower.
• Have Macaroni & Cheese for dinner.
• Play Games.
• Have a Galette de Roi (King's Cake) after dinner.

So that's exactly what we did, and I have the pictures to prove it!

Lunch at McDonald's

I promise I'm going to cut them off when we get back home, but something familiar to them is so rare here, I can't take this one comfort from them. And it's cheap in a city where very little is.

Go to the top of the Eiffel Tower

We really had been trying to put this off until the weather warmed up more, but it's Max's birthday, and as he said, we were his slaves for a day.

Max is happy to be seven!

A birthday is pretty fun for the little brother too.

Waiting for the elevator to go up.

When we got to (almost the top) there were great views of Paris from everywhere we looked. We even found our apartment on this side of the tower (click the photo for a better look).

But Max couldn't help but look up to the top level, which was closed.
Maybe next time.
When it's warmer.
Please!

Play Games

We were so lucky to have five students stop by just to wish Max a happy birthday!

Brooklyn and Skye looked at all of Max's new Bakugans.

Then everyone played a few games of UNO and sang Happy Birthday to Max.

How lucky to be surrounded by cute college girls on your seventh birthday. Max looks like he's making eyes at Brooklyn and Skye already, but hopefully we have a few more years before we have to worry about that!

Thanks so much Rosalie, Brooklyn, Skye, Rich, and Mike for coming by!
It meant the world to Max!

Macaroni & Cheese for Dinner

Made with curly noodles and crême fraîche épaisse. Max said it was the best he ever had.

I have to admit, it was PRETTY GOOD.
(Notice how his Bakugans are never out of his sight.
I think he liked them. He has them in bed with him as I write this).

Have a Gallette de Roi After Dinner

If your not familiar with a French King's Cake, check out the link above. I hadn't heard of one until I spoke with one of the former director's wives who told me about this fun tradition. Each cake has a trinket baked into it, and whoever gets it is crowned king for the day.

Max blew out his candle and made his wish.

And if his wish was to get the trinket, it worked. He found it in his piece!
Such a great way to end his birthday!

King's cakes come with all different fillings, but ours was almond. It basically tasted like a huge almond croissant. Not bad at all, and Max even liked it!

It's good to be King, especially on your birthday!

When we were on the top of the Eiffel Tower, Max looked out over the view and said "This is the best birthday I've ever had."

I have to agree.