Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in silicon valley, CA

Today is Bastille Day, the holiday the French celebrate in honor of their own Revolution. Our National Editors are taking you on a trip to Paris today, but we'll stay a bit closer to home.

How do you celebrate Bastille Day in the Silicon Valley?

You could enjoy a swanky dinner at The Left Bank. Not really kid-friendly, but also not kid unfriendly. But really, all I want to eat on Bastille Day is French Onion Soup, and I don't have to go to Left Bank to get that.

For a long time my favorite French Onion Soup was to be found at TGI Friday's. What? Yes. I've been to France. I still like the soup at TGI Friday's better. You can go ahead and send the French culinary assassins now. Luckily for you, if you want to introduce your kid to French Onion Soup the version they issue at TGI Friday's is bold enough in its flavor that their unsophisticated palettes won't be bored by subtlety.

That's right. I just sent you to an American chain restaurant for Bastille Day.

Do you want to make some of this classic French soup at home, easily, deliciously, and Frenchly?

Shawn's French Onion Soup:

Have your kid select an onion for you. White or yellow preferred. Direct him to toast some bread in the toaster (just a couple of slices).

While the toast is toasting chop the onion finely and then pan cook with butter.

Have your child measure out 2 quarts of beef stock for you. Add to the pan and cook for 25 minutes.

Preheat your oven broiler.

While the soup is cooking get your kid to tear the crusts from the toasted bread, and then divide the bread between four oven-proof bowls (or five, or however many servings you are going to make).

When the soup is finished cooking pour it over the toasted bread in the bowls.

And now, the best part: Add dollops, droplets, pieces, or slices of soft Camembert cheese. This is not what Friday's uses. This is what I use, and it is awesome.

Put the bowls under the broiler until the cheese is melted and incorporated a little into the soup (5-8 minutes).

There. You've now made the best French Onion Soup in the world, your kid helped, and you've celebrated Bastille Day while also introducing your kid to Camembert.

You're welcome.