Tuesday, September 27, 2011

A little bit of the menu in English...

So, I translated this week's menu (as best as I could!)...

Monday, Sept 26

Tomatoes and Mozzarella
Veal Stew
Pasta with Cheese
Fruit 
Organic Bread

Tuesday, Sept 27

Pastry (think flaky) with cheese and salad
Sliced Chicken
Organic Sauteed Green Beans
Small suisses with fruit (not sure about this one!)
Organic Bread

Thursday, Sept 29

Beets with Parsley
Roast Pork
Cauliflower with cream sauce
Fruit 
Cheese
Bread

Friday, Sept 30

Toast with tapenade and salad
Some kind of tuna??
Steamed Potatoes
Giano Fish??? 
Bread

Monday, September 26, 2011

The school menu...

I had been trying to find the link to the school menu, and finally found it!  So, check it out to see what the kids in France expect to be served for dejeuner, and why Jacob absolutely refuses to stay for lunch!!!!

Click here for the menu!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

And the vacation is over.....

Homesickness:  sucks!!!!!

It has finally happened.  The vacation is over, and this is real!  It was a bit of a tough week for me.  Last weekend, my cousin got married (congrats Mike and Lynette!), then my brother got engaged (congrats to Ian and Anna!) and then, unfortunately, my Grandma ended up in the hospital (get better soon Grannie xoxox).  It was tough to be away from my family for all these events.  It just isn't quite the same talking over the phone, or video conferencing....

Todd is also back to Canada this morning.  He left at 6:15 am.  It is raining--fitting for my mood!  Thursday night is when the tears started for me.  It just hit me about midnight--I am living in a foreign country, where I do not speak the language, and my husband, who is such a support (and I miss already), is going to be gone for 2 weeks!  I was feeling sorry for myself already, not being back in Alberta, and celebrating with everyone, and visiting Grannie at the hospital, and then the thought of Todd being gone, it just didn't work for me!  I was also quite envious of Todd, and as such, a little bit mad (and then mad at myself for even being mad) that he got to go back "home", see familiar faces, and do familiar things.  I do realize he has to work, but it is still his "normal" routine.  I feel like I have nothing familiar.  All my kids are in school, I don't have the option of just popping into the school to help out, I have no one to go for coffee with, or hang out with, and we are 8 hours ahead of all those I want to talk to!
What does one do with one self?  Todd recommended I start taking French classes (which I know would help), but I hate putting myself in uncomfortable situations.  He also recommended I start asking some of the moms out from the school for coffee, or whatever, but again, uncomfortable for me.  I will probably suck it up at some point--but not yet!
And now, to top in all off, I feel guilty for being "mad" at Todd for the last 3 days before he left!  Why did I waste the time I had with him before he was gone, pouting :(
I am also a bit scared, as I signed up to volunteer for the first time, with Jacob's class on Friday morning. We are going to a museum, so hopefully it all goes well.  I am afraid I won't know enough French to keep the kids in line, and I will never be asked to help again!  As well, I have to get Jacob ready to send off on a Scout Weekend.  Not even sure where he needs to go, and if I have all the stuff yet.  Like I said, the vacation is over.....
On the plus side, my mom comes over on Thursday night, so that should lift my spirits.  Hopefully she is ready for me!  She may have to pick up the 2 little guys for lunch on Friday morning, as I am with Jacob on his field trip.  I should be back in time, but I better be prepared in case I am not.

2 weeks, 14 days, 334 hours, 29160 minutes, 1209600 seconds.....not that I am counting the time or anything!

Anyways, enough with the sob story, here are some pictures from the weekend.  We went to the library, and then checked out a few museums.  It was the Journees du Patrimoine this weekend, and therefore, free entry into most of the museums in town.  We made it to 2, before the kids were done!  
 It was also Jacob's turn to clean the toilet (not fun, 1 toilet, 4 small boys.....). 

 At the library.  

 The closest playground we have been able to find--still about 2-2.5 km away.  

 Really, we are trying to get them "cultured", but the nose picking still continues....

At the museum of Natural History.  

Friday, September 16, 2011

Escrime--What is it???

The boys have picked their physical activity for the year--Escrime!  I mean, what little boy wouldn't want to don a mask and wield a sword!  The boys have fallen in love with the idea of "Fencing"!

Joshua is on the left in grey sweats, and Jacob on the right in black sweats.

They first tried Escrime when we went to the Sports Jour, on the Sept long weekend.  They had all the gear at the gymnasium  for the kids to give it a try!  We then went on Wednesday to an actual class, to see what it would be like!  Of course, the 3 big boys loved it!  Unfortunately, Noah is too little, but he desperately wanted to try too!

You can just see Nathan in the back, with the grey sweats and black runners
Todd has also found a new hobby:

Drinking beer while walking on a hot afternoon!
And, since we don't have a car here, we ordered some of the heavier groceries online.  They delivered 2 days later, and it worked out great!  

And the boys playing with some of the packaging from the groceries!



Our favourite dejeuner (lunch): deux baguettes et fromage!  Even Jacob has expanded his tastes a bit, and sampled some of the cheeses.  Cheese is very reasonably priced here, so we usually have a large selection on hand.  A wedge of gouda that you would normally get for around $8 at home, is usually around 2 Euros.  A round of Brie, you can get for under 2 Euros.  And it all tastes delicious on a fresh baguette, which range in price from .60 Euros to .90 Euros.  All in all, an affordable lunch!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Walking, walking, walking......

The boys are tired of walking....they look at us with disgust if we even suggest going for a walk in the evening or on the weekend!  Unless we have a specific destination in mind, and bribe them with the offer of a fresh baguette or pain au chocolat, there is no convincing them!!!  We do not have a vehicle here in Aix, and really don't need one.  It seems everything that we could need is within a 25 minute walk.
The boys are slowly adjusting, but I don't really blame them--they walk just about 3 km a day to and from school!  The trip is 663 meters from our door to the school doors.  They do the trip 4 times a day!  It is no wonder I can't keep fruit and bread in the house!  They are going through a ridiculous amount of both these items.
So, the boys go 4 times a day, which means I go 8 times.  Around 5.5 km for me, without walking anywhere else!  The grocery store is about a 2 km round trip.  Into the town centre is about 1 - 1.5 km.  So, needless to say, lots of walking!  It is not surprising that both Todd and I have lost a couple pounds since being here.  You don't see a lot of overweight people here, and walking is probably the reason why!  We do still eat all the cheeses, and drink the wine, and occasionally indulge in a sweet pastry!
Not sure if I had mentioned before, but we have the main floor of a 2 storey house.  We have met the neighbours upstairs, a sweet older couple.  The gentleman is always tinkering on something in the garage or watering/tending the garden.  On Saturday, he asked the boys to come out and help trim the lavender plants.  He gave them each a small basket, which they gathered the lavender in.  He told them to place it in their windows to keep the bugs away!


 
Here is a dish I recently made!  Lots of fresh vegetables, some herbs de provence, garlic, shallots, and some  beef.  Turned out really good, other than Jacob wouldn't touch it!


The boys have been entertaining themselves by building forts.....they have been missing their selection of toys they had back home.  As of right now, all we have is some Lego, a few puzzle books, and some Toy Story figurines.  Todd just brought back their scooters, so they have been using those in the garage as well!

Friday, September 9, 2011

I think I survived.....

Week one of school is almost over--just need to remember to pick the kids up at 4:30pm!  Week one of being the solo parent is almost done as well--the hubby gets home tomorrow late afternoon.  Everyone has come home smiling everyday, so things must be going ok.  Google Translate has become my new BFF!  Forms, forms, forms this week!  I **hope** I filled them all out correctly, and didn't miss anything! 

The biggest challenge for Jacob this week--figuring out cursive writing!  That is what they learn here--not to print, but to write!  Jacob, of course, continues to amaze me.  He says he can't do it, and considering he has only had 3 1/2 days at it, his cursive writing is almost readable!  For homework, we have a separate workbook in which Jacob prints his answer in French, and then I write it out.  From there, he writes it in his homework book.  We have printed out some worksheets for this weekend (which he is very eager to work on!).  I am sure in 2 weeks time, he will be writing up a storm! Jacob is also struggling a bit to find a friend.  He is a very shy boy, who is afraid his french isn't good enough.  In a few weeks time, I hope he finds his confidence, sees he is getting along fine, and finds his voice!  He did have some success this morning with math, as he said he knew the answers, when the other kids didn't.  It's little things like this that will boost his morale, and let him see that he is the same as the other kids--good at some things, and not so good at others!  This is something we have always struggled with--Jacob being hesitant to try something, for fear of failure!  Once he knows he will succeed, he thrives, and goes for it.  So, I guess he is just testing the waters still....

Joshua has made a new friend.  They don't speak the same language, but they play, as only kids can! They have a big wave for each other in the morning, while Joshua greets with "Hello" and the other little boy "Bon jour"! This is so great for Joshua, as he is such a social little guy!  I don't think he is finding the language too intimidating, and enjoying the school environment.  Joshua's biggest challenge--not eating for a whole 3 hours!  They do not have a scheduled "snack time" at school, but they are allowed a snack at recess, so he has begged me to send Pain au Chocolat (Croissant with Chocolate in the middle), as that's what the other kids get!!  So, he takes a snack in the morning, but needs to tough it out in the afternoon!  As well, Joshua has asked to stay at school for lunch.  They serve "hot lunch", a 3 course menu, everyday, if you so wish, at a cost of around 20 Euros a semester. Josh heard this, and he was sold!!!

Today, Nathan told me he could go into school all by himself--I am sure this is due to us just dropping his older brothers off at the school doors!  We made a compromise, I would wait out in the courtyard, just outside the hall way to his class (to get to Nathan's class, we actually go into the school, and then out and across the courtyard).  Luckily, there are windows, so I can watch him be "big"!  He always greets his teacher with a "Bonjour", and then gets to playing!  His teachers have been great about helping him learn the routines, and what is being said.  When they give Nathan a direction, such as "push in your chair (but in french)", they take Nathan by the hand, push in the chair, and say the phrase again.  They have been so patient, and I get nothing but praise about him at the end of the day!

My Mister Noah--he told me on the way to school today that he is getting to be a big boy!  He is so proud of himself for being at school, just like the bigger brothers!  He doesn't hestitate to enter the classroom, but does love to see me at pick up time!  Today was a "kissy day", which means he will willing give me a kiss--I think he missed me this morning!  I think he MAY of had a nap yesterday, he was still wide awake at 10 pm last night---there is no way he should be that full of energy that late at night!!!  He tells me he didn't, so once Todd is back, I will get the low down on what is happening in the afternoons!  I really hope we can move him into the other class to play during sleep time.  Everyday, the teacher has praises for Noah as well--tres bien!! 

As for me, I even made some new friends!  Tuesday night, I ventured out to my first Scout meeting.  One of the Scout leaders came and picked me up, after leaving her daughter to watch the boys.  The entire meeting was in French, so I really didn't pick up on much, but it was a good experience for me.  It is nice to know someone local, but she also speaks English as well, so it helps!  I am going to help start a Beaver section here in Aix (for those that don't know, I am a Section Leader for Beavers in Okotoks--and I miss it alot!).  I also made some Canadian friends.  There are 2 other couples, both from Toronto, that both have kids in Nathan and Noah's school.  I went out for a run with one of them this morning, and it was great!  Between the 3 families, we have 9 boys, with the oldest being almost 11, and the youngest 3.  Some may say that we should totally immerse ourselves, and avoid the English speaking families, but there is comfort in it.  I think it will also be a little confidence booster for the kids to know some Canadian friends too!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Boston Pizza Kids Meal Card GiveAway

This is on another mom's website, who I have never met, but we occasionally post comments on each other's blogs!  Please go check out here blog, and follow the rules, and you can be entered to win 1 of 5 BP kids meal gift cards, which entitles you to 5 free kids meals. 

Just Another Mom Blog


Good luck!!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Update on School!

We made it to the end of Tuesday....no school tomorrow, and then back at it again on Thursday.  We have every Wednesday off, which I will admit, is a nice little break.  Hopefully we sleep in a little bit! 

So, the news on Noah and his naps.....he DIDN'T nap!!  Monday, he sat quietly (not sure if he had to sit there the entire 1 1/2 hours, or if he was allowed out early (my French isn't that good...).  Today, we took one of his favourite books "I Love You Stinky Face", which he was allowed to read quietly.  I am hoping they will soon see he doesn't nap, and they will spring him to play with the big kids.  He is definitely ready for bed at 8 pm though!!!  He falls right to sleep, but that is rather nice!!! 

The boys have adapted better than I thought they would.  Everyone was still eager to go back today!  Joshua has even made 2 new friends--he doesn't know their names, but he was waving to them as he left today!  Jacob is still a little hestitant to talk to the kids, but I think he is enjoying the challenge of having everything in school in French!  He was sooooo excited about his history books for the year--Prehistoric Times and Ancient Times!

Nathan seems to be doing just fine in the GS class.  He is one of the youngest in the class, as most of them are born in 2006, while he is a January 2007 baby!  He goes in with a smile, and comes out with one too!! 

I am blessed to have such easy going boys, who just love to learn!!  They are always so eager to see what a new school day with offer them!  Hopefully this holds out through jr high and high school!

Monday, September 5, 2011

Premier Jour d'école

The boys said they weren't excited, but I think they were.  We had no troubles getting out of bed this morning! 



Drop off went not too bad. The two schools are next door to each other, and the big boys' doors opened at 8:15.  We took them into the courtyard, where they met with their teacher.  Jacob's was pretty quick, but Joshua's took forever.  He is in CP, which is the first level at this school.  There were a few kids crying, and some parents that seemed reluctant.  I ended up leaving while Todd and Joshua were still near the back of the line, to get Nathan and Noah to school. 



At Nathan and Noah's school, there were class lists posted by the exterior doors, but no indication as to where these classes might be.  And I didn't have any of my handy French helpers with me at that moment.  I had to muddle my way through asking where I should drop Nathan off at.....I did succeed, but it wasn't pretty!  At the door to the class, the teacher was waiting outside, at a table to great the students.  It again took quite some time to meet each one.....15 minutes later (and only 4 kids ahead of us to start....), we get to the front.  She asked for his name (I think), and I tried to explain we don't know/speak any french, and then I send him into the classroom.  Nathan entered without looking back!  A fair number of the other kids were crying, but I think Nathan was just too excited--which makes it sooooo much easier on me!!



So, now it is about 8:40, and it is Noah's turn to be dropped off.  Several of the kids had soothers, and were already crying, and we hadn't even entered the school.  This dropoff took even longer!   By the time we got to the door, it was 25 minutes.  As expected, Noah walked in, choose to do puzzles, and waved us off!  It would have been nice to have a little love from my baby, but he is the littlest of 4, and he takes it all in stride!   I think he was the only one not crying in the room, but he didn't seem to notice or be bothered, as he was finally in school!


One thing that did perplex me, and make me think I had forgotten something, was that at the door, a teacher aide was taking a stuffie from each child.  We did not bring one for Noah (I didn't think to!), but we were the only ones without.  And then I realized, it is for Nap Time!  Todd had joined me by this time, so I asked him to find out about said "Nap Time".  Noah hasn't napped since he was 18 months old, so not really a habit we want him back into.  Anyways, nap time is from 1:30-3pm.  If he doesn't nap (which I pray he doesn't, as that means a 11 pm bed time tonight....), he will be allowed to go and play with the MS (4 year olds), during that time.  When I picked him up at lunch time, I told him he should not sleep, but just sit quietly, and then maybe he will be able to play....we'll see what happened when I pick him up at 4:30! 


As for me, I have survived so far.  Todd was back off to Canada after drop off this morning, until Saturday, for work.  I will no doubt pick up some more French this week!  After sending Todd off on his bus, I walked to the grocery store to get a baguette, and fruit.  I then came home, had a quick coffee, and was off to pick the boys up for lunch.  Everyone was where they were supposed to be, and it was smooth!  This afternoon, I have blogged, sent out the school pictures to family, and completed a Beaver Scout lesson plan (something I plan to stick with even though we are here, and Beavers is in Okotoks!!). Time for another coffee, and then off to get the boys! 

 I have enjoyed the peace and quiet, although I think I may get bored by next week.....Maybe I will take the time to smell the roses, just as Joshua and Noah do.....



Friday, September 2, 2011

French DVD's

Guess the French Brother Bear DVD didn't really "do it" for Noah....




Septembre is here....

The weather is still beautiful in Aix!  We are at 31 degrees today, with next week maybe cooling down to about 25-27.  It tends to be very sticky here as there is limited A/C.  We have been out walking everyday, anywhere between 3-5 km (and yes, the boys whine, but such is life!!). 

We went and got library cards today, and the boys brought home quite a few books, and 2 DVD's in French.  I plan to go back once the kids are in school, and take some out for myself.  The library is huge!  It has several different rooms, with different collections in each.  There is also a seperate building that houses several art galleries, and a cafeteria.  The trick is not to get too much, as we need to walk 1.9 km home with it!  We can take a bus, which we may end up doing from time to time.


The boys cleaned the house the other day, so they were allowed to pick out treats for dessert at the grocery store yesterday afternoon.   They were "délicieux".  These were bought at our local grocery store "Casino", and were a package of 2 for 3,50.  (Click here for a Currency Convertor)

 The boys have been enjoying their time out in the courtyard around the house.  We just open the patio doors, and they run in and out, playing "Super Spies" in the hedges surrounding the property.  They have also made up the game of "Hide the Smurf", in which they hide a smurf or other such item in the yard, and then the others have to find it.  They have also enjoyed tracking down snails and small lizards....



Nathan wiped out while running around the yard....




Thursday, September 1, 2011

Ecole

The boys start school here on Monday.  Jacob will be in CE2, which is equivalent to Gr 3 (although it sounds as though they will just be learning to write and read in French).  He will also have the chance to take German (or English) as second language this year.  Joshua is in CP, which is equivalent to Gr One.    

The go to Ecole Jean Jaures.  The classes are small, about 15 per class.  The school has 1 class for each grade, for  total of 5-6 classrooms in the school!  There are quite a few schools in Aix!  They do not have the budget that Canadian schools do.  No smart boards, and some of the classrooms have computers.  We have to supply paper for the office as part of our school supplies.  It looks as though they would still like me as a volunteer once a week though!  I can help in the afternoons with reading, or with groups!  They will use my English abilities where needed!!


Noah will be in PS (which is the 2 year of preschool!).  They do 3 preschool years, and then GS (which is kindergarten).  He will also be in a class of 15.  Nathan gets to go to GS, as one of the younger in the class, but I think it will be good for him!   Nathan and Noah go to Ecole Grassi.  It is located right beside Jacob and Joshua's.


It was quite an adventure to buy the boys' school supplies--the lists were in French (obviously), but not all of it converted that great, and a lot of it was just "knowing" what was expected at the school!  The aisles at the store were just as crazy as they are back home.  And, since we didn't know what we were really looking for, we worked our way down 1 list at time, rather than grabbing 2, 3, or 4 of what we needed while we were in that spot....

Here is Jacob's school list!



Here's from wikipedia:

France
The most junior level of schooling in France is l'école maternelle. Compulsory education begins at the age of six, when children enter l'école élémentaire. The two may be combined, known as l'école primaire. The numbered years, or classes are as follows:
·         Cycle I : cycle des apprentissages premiers
o    Toute Petite Section or TPS
o    Petite Section or PS
o    Moyenne Section or MS
o    Grande Section or GS
·         Cycle II : cycle des apprentissages fondamentaux
o    Second year : Cours préparatoire or CP (6–7 years).
o    Third year : Cours élémentaire niveau 1 or CE1 (7–8 years).
·         Cycle III : cycles des approfondissements
o    First year : Cours élémentaire niveau 2 or CE2 (8–9 years).
o    Second year : Cours moyen niveau 1 or CM1 (9–10 years).
o    Third year : Cours moyen niveau 2 or CM2 (10–11 years).
After this, students attend collège, from the ages of eleven to fifteen. The classes are numbered in descending order.
·         Sixième (11–12 years)
·         Cinquième (12–13 years)
·         Quatrième (13–14 years)
·         Troisième (14–15 years)
The final part of French secondary education takes place at the lycée. Education is only compulsory to the age of 14 or 16 le lycée covers three years, and concludes in the French Baccalaureat. These are:
·         Seconde
·         Première
·         Terminale
It is possible in France to fail a year, and need to resit (redoubler).