Tae on French and School

Tae is a funny little blend of complete confidence and total insecurity. I suppose we all are to some extent. Before actually moving here, I was really nervous about how Tae would react to the different environment, different language and culture. Especially without his friends, cousins, and Grammy and Poppy. But as most people have told me, kids are resilient. Aside from saying only a couple times that he wants to go home to his other house where he has a lightening McQueen bed, he has been a complete trouper. Even with us dragging all over the country. (Of course, during that time he was being spoiled by one aunt or another.)

We arrived on a Tuesday and went to visit the school I think on Thursday that week. Just to see about it and talk to the head mistress. She was really nice and the president of the club was nice enough to come with us and take care of some of the insurance items. Thankfully, I can't tell you how thankfully, Aunt Donna was there and came with us. I understand bits and pieces and sometimes can put it together. But on occasion I understand bits and pieces and then put them together wrong and I was just listening to a totally different conversation! So Aunt Donna was so helpful to make sure I was understanding everything. This was kinda an important subject. I immediately liked the school. It is very organized. They are teaching cursive to 4 year olds! They even have little pottys for the kids. I was excited for Tae.

Tuesday the next week, after our long road trip, was his first day of school. I cannot tell you how proud of him I was. Armed with 3 aunts, mommy, daddy, and brother by his side we set off to school.  Tae walked up there with us acting like he owned the world.  Then he got to the door, after taking off his sweatshirt and getting ready for class, he stepped in and hid behind mommy.  He was hugging my leg and did not want to go in there.  I am so thankful I have such a strong husband who believes in raising a man not a puny little boy, he took Tae aside and in his loving yet stern way told him to man up.  haha Just kidding!  But if you know Lavar, that isn't that far fetched.  But he did great, Lavar gave him a talking to, basically be tough, mommy and daddy are always here, make new friends etc etc.  I didn't really listen because this was 'man' time.  Whatever he said worked because Tae turned around found a table to sit down at and started playing.  That's my boy!

So here is the drill.  We wake up the boys at 7:30.  I get Tae in his boxers and tank top and send him upstairs for breakfast.  I get Eli out of bed and changed.  As Tae is eating I make and feed Eli a bottle.  We go downstairs and brush Tae's teeth, mouth wash, and wash his face.  Next is lotion.  After he is lathered up we head to the room for clothes.  Once he is dressed we load up the layers, because let's face it, we are Californian/Bahamian people living in France.  It is cold  here and it is only October.  I am in for it... Anyway, then we put Eli in the stroller, bundle him up and head out the door at about 8:15.  It is about a 10 minute walk to school.  It is crisp and refreshing and gets us out of the house.  We arrive at school around 8:25, perfect.  On Monday and Tuesday his teacher doesn't speak any English.  On Wednesday there is no school and on Thursday and Friday the teacher speaks English, so she can help Tae (and me).  Eli and I head home and I feed him some solid food and lay him down for a nap. Aahhh, then it is my time.  Two hours of everyone gone or sleeping, I love it!

So here are some funny things we have experienced so far.  First of all, this is Tae's super confident side.  "Tae, guess what!  You get to learn French!"  Tae: "But mommy, I already speak French."  Me: "Really?  Well that is convenient.  Let me hear some French."  Tae: "I don't feel like it right now."  Nice.  And lately, since we have been around it more he basically thinks it's gibberish.  I told him to bring home 1 French word that he learned and teach it to me so that he can be my teacher.  So he comes home saying he has some words.  Then proceeds to 'speak' French.  It is really just a bunch of gibberish.  Occasionally he saying something like booshay or something like that.  Then I ask what it means and he says "it French, mommy!  Silly Mommy!"  Of course it's French!  Silly mommy. 

Here is the funniest one yet.  Last week I got a note from the school saying that today, Friday the 15th, it is going to be 'bring your favorite toy to school' day.  You're thinking, 'cool, sounds fun.'  Here is the kicker.  They have a word for 'favorite toy' in French.  And it is doudou. Yep, say it outloud.  Doudou.  Well, Tae speaks English and where he comes from (and also being a boy) doudou is a funny word.  This should be interesting...  When I told him I decided to be all nonchalant about it.  So I am talking him through it with "And then, guess what!  On Friday you get to bring your doudou to school!  A doudou in French..."  It's too late.  I lost him.  He is already cracking up at the word.  Great.  So I let it go.  Then yesterday I was picking him up from school and one of the mom's was walking away with her kids.  I don't know what she was saying but doudou was in the sentence.  Tae looks up and me and says "Ha, she said doudou! haha  Did you hear that mommy?  She said doudou."  I tried to play it off, but I suppose this is one of those cultural differences that we will have to get used too...  Funny kid. 

Real quick, another one of those cultural differences.  The way you pronounce Tae in English, like how we say his name is the exact way you say tea in French.  So basically, in France, we named our kid Tea.  Like a cup of tea.  Lovely.  So every time I introduce him I have to explain, 'comme le boisson' (like the drink).  People look at us like we are crazy.  But I suppose I would too.  It is like we are trying to be super trendy or something, like Gweneth Paltrow naming her kid Apple or Gwen Stefani and Zuma.  We are just that cool...  Oh well, you try to think of everythin when they are born, but who would have thought of this? 

Well that is all the stories I have for now.  I am sure  there will be more to come with all the things that we have to go through.  But, Tae is doing great in school.  We are sooooo proud of him.  He is a tough little cookie and Lord willing, he will grow to be a tough man.  We love him so much and I can't wait until he starts speaking better French, so he can teach me!!

Our European Road Trip

Once again I had to condense the huge amount of pictures that we had into little collages.  I think if you want to see them bigger you can click on them.  Anyway, Friday morning we all got up, got ready, had our French breakfast of course, and hit the road.  It is about 3 hours of a drive to Switzerland or Neuchatel where Chris and the Lienhardts (sp?) live.  So we set off.  Almost half way there we saw a castle out the side of our window!  What, a castle?  In France?  No way!  We had to stop!  We drove around looking for our castle.  Then finally, following all the French signs, we drove all the way up to the top of this hill to find our chateau.  It was huge and beautiful.  And it was wayyyy up there so the view was beautiful. 

But, as is most things in France, it was closed for some random reason.  We trekked the kids and ourselves up this huge hill for a closed castle.  It was still beautiful, though.  Huge and it looked like it must have been really cool inside. I guess we'll never know, because even if I wanted to go back, I don't think I would be able to find it!  Anyway, it was good, we got to get out and stretch our legs.  Tae got to run around a bit.  There was also a dog that ran with us the entire time.  He was a cute, nice dog, it almost made me want a dog for Tae.  And if you know me, that is a stretch.  But don't worry, Lavar shut that down quick!  Anyway, it was a nice little stop.  Then we found a Mc Donalds and we were on our way! 

Then we made it, we can finally see the border!  Yay!  Get out your passports, ladies, we're goin' to Switzerland!!  Maybe this nice man will stamp our passports... We have to buy what?  Wait, no one else is stopping... 40 bucks for a stupid sticker that I have to put on a rental car?!?  Well, I'll just switch it to my regular car when I get it.  NO?! What?  This is ridiculous!  Stupid Swiss.  I hate Switzerland.

Well another hour went by, had to go by, for me to cool off.  They just saw that we were tourist because our car was packed to the brim.  But we made it to Neuchatel.  And yet another hour goes by and we still can't find that stinkin house!  Seriously, I know it sounds like an excuse, but our GPS sucked.  It took us on the freeway just to get off at the first off ramp and get back on going the way we came and get off at the same off ramp we got on!!  It was messing with us.  It must have been Swiss too.  Stupid Swiss.  I hate Switzerland.

Finally, we have arrived!!  We found the stupid house!!  And then just behind us this guy drives past on a motorcycle and waves.  I'm thinking, 'well that guy is nice.'  Then I get out of the car only to find that it is Chris Taylor!!  Yay!! Not only did we make it to Switzerland, but Chris is here too!  I love Switzerland!  Yay!  (Tae took the picture of us, so that is why Aunt Jan is half cut off.)  So we are standing outside a long-time, dear friend of the family with our long-time friend, Chris Taylor in Switzerland.  Okay, that's cool.   

Just to do a little background.  My Aunt Donna moved to France when she was 22 years old for a summer job she had all lined up.  She arrived in Marseille only to find that the job had been given to someone else.  She was taken in by a nice family and the next day another job was found for her.  She took the train and moved instead to Switzerland.  The Lienhardts owned a restaurant in Neuchatel where she worked all summer.  The family was so lovely to her, they treated her like a daughter.  Needless to say, the life-long friendship was formed.  When my mom was 16 she was able to stay with them on her European tour.  They took her all over Switzerland, showing her all the sites to see.  Then when my brother, John, and cousin, Jackson, were travelling throughout Europe, they ended up there and spent a few nights with the family.  So really, it was just my turn!

We had a lovely evening.  Chef (Mr. Lienhardt) was known as the singing chef.  And he showed us why.  He cooked a delicious dinner for us and then whipped out the guitar and sang us some songs!  He has a wonderful voice and is full of life.  He is 87 years old and you would never guess it!  (Kinda like an 84 year old I know...)  We sat and talked and listened.  Then Chris played the piano and Chef sang.  It was delightful.  Tae also graced us with his piano abilities... Thank you, Tae. 

The next day was lovely.  We were able to stay at Chris' apartment quite comfortably (thank you, Chris!), which was right in the town center.  We woke up and walked downstairs of his apartment and had some coffee.  There was a farmer's market going on with beautiful flowers and fresh fruits.  It was lovely.  We also happened to be in Switzerland for a cheese festival.  We got to taste lots of cheese (which affected Tae later...) and had fondue while listening to the Swiss horns play and a Swiss chior singing.  It was all very tourist-y which fit our purpose well, I suppose.  It was really a lovely day, ending with everyone purchasing some Swiss chocolate. (Really, isn't that is how every day should end?)  We had to say our goodbyes to our friends and we were on our way to Paris. 

Paris, aahh Paris.  I love Paris.  I have actually never really driven in Paris before... And the first time wasn't exactly pleasant.  Lavar's game started at 8 I think.  And we were soooo on time even after hitting some traffic just outside of Switzerland.  Then it all happened.  I will take full (ish) responsibility for what happened for the next two hours.  (I partially blame the GPS)  Anyway, we drove around Paris for two hours looking for the gym that we actually saw right when we drove into Paris.  So the GPS had led us astray before and it was pointing to a street that wasn't actually there, or we couldn't see, and we saw a complex, but we weren't sure if that was it.  Well we should have just checked, but I guess we were delirious from being in the car all day... Anyway, we got there with 8 minutes left in the game.  At least we got to see that, to be positive.  I wasn't exactly being positive at the time, but hey, at least I am trying.  We stayed at some hotel that smelled, to be quite honest.  The Aunties woke up early to see the sights.  Well I had seen them and I wanted my sleep.  So my mom and I slept in and woke the boys up to meet them in front of Notre Dame at 12:00.  (Getting to the Notre Dame with the boys is a whole other story...)  Well then the best part of my day was seeing my best friend in France, Charlotte.  She is living in Paris and came to see us.  It was sooo great to see her.  We became friends 3 years ago in Brest and have always stayed in touch.  Love her!  We saw Shakespeare and Company got some ice cream and headed home.  It was a lovely trip.  (Except for Tae 'dealing' with all the cheese he had eaten in Switzerland, if you know what I mean.)

Phew!  That is the trip!  We made it home safe without getting lost for once!!!  (Most of the 10 days was spent getting lost somewhere)  Thanks for reading and I can't wait to write about Tae's school and French.  Honestly, it's hilarious!

Aunties International!

 We did a lot of work while we were here.  I mean a lot!  We also took quite a few pictures to document the process we went through so we (and everyone else) could appreciate the hard work we put in.  I had so many pictures it would have taken up a ton of room for this post and I like to write with my pictures, so I put them into little collages.  To the left are pictures of the night we arrived.  Yes, after about 17 plus hours of travelling, we went right to work.  I think Dave Barry wrote once how women can do incredible things in the middle of the night.  Their husbands would wake up and all the furniture would be rearranged and the walls painted or something.  Well in this case, it's just when he gets home from practice.   Anyway, we started with lists and ideas and one thing was certain.  We needed to make that nasty staircase into a pantry.  Overall there was a lot of potential for the place.  And Lavar did his job, he didn't touch a thing when he moved in, just bought a few candles and air freshener. (um.. thanks?)  Anyway, like I was saying, right to work.  The next morning we were on our way to Ikea. (Yay for Ikea!)  The next collage of pictures are us in progress.  Aunt Donna and Tae cleaning the windows.  I think we, Tae, used half the pray bottle on one window.  We had to 'refocus' him on another project.  Aunt Jan doing the dirty work in the staircase.  Yes, it was that nasty, we/they wore masks and gloves and we used a lot of bleach. 

We got in Tuesday night and worked, really straight, for 2 days.  Except, of course, to stop for our lovely French breakfast from one of the two bakeries down the street.  Here are a few around town pictures and some of our lovely bakeries.  There are also some views from the apartment.  We took a little weekend break to go see the world and were back to work on Monday.  Our trip to Switzerland and Paris was absolutely fabulous.  We got to see Chris Taylor, a great friend from high school who happens to be living in the same town as some long-time friends of the family!  How convenient!  After an evening and day in Neuchatel we jetted off to Paris to see Lavar's game and sightsee the next day.  Didn't exactly work out like we planned, but I will write about that trip later.  Back to our work.

We got back Monday night late and went to bed.  Well, we might have painted or hung something, but you know, right to bed.  We finished up the apartment mostly on Monday and spent Tuesday and Wednesday seeing the town.  Look at how beautiful!!  It is so neat and organized!!  I have a place for everything, even a toy chest for Tae and Eli's things so the up stairs doesn't get messy.  This is so exciting.  Especially for a completely unorganized and not very neat person.  I wish I was, I really do.  But when it's not in ya, it's not in ya.  I would know.  But with the way the house is now, it is so much easier to keep nice.  I did inform the aunties and grammy that they will be coming with me every year.  How else should I live?  No, it just has to be, they will come with me! 

I have been here almost a week without having my babysitters, house cleaners, organizers, sous chefs, and family to help me out.  And I look up at my house as I am sitting on the couch writing this... oops!  I guess I should be cleaning instead of blogging.  We have family breakfast on Wednesday mornings and I just haven't picked up yet!

There, that's better.  Anyway, I love my place, thanks mostly to the aunties.  I think they need a TLC show "Aunties International" or "How to Make Something out of Nothing!"  It would be a big hit, trust me.  Stay tuned as I finish up our 10 day trip!

This was how we got Lavar to do his job.
  Change the lightbulb, sweetie!

Moving to France. It's kinda a big deal

So it is kinda ironic how horrible I am at packing and organizing and my life consists of moving to a different place every year. Maybe I will get better! Or just realize how truly awful I am. Either way, this is my life so I must do the best I can. This year was especially difficult because I had been home in California for so long. So I just didn't remember what I had in storage over here or what I needed. I had to pack the lives of three people into 4 suitcases. Well, that was the originally goal. I ended up using 9 bags for just my family. But in my defence I had to pack 2 huge boxes we intended to send until we found out the shipping costs: $177 for one box as opposed to $48 for an extra luggage allowance. Thankfully my aunts were travelling with us so they were able to 'help' with the luggage. They were actually once referred to as our pack mules... Thank you Aunties! :)

We actually got pretty lucky on the flights this year. I actually booked our flights this year, coincidence? I think not. We flew from LAX to LHR non stop. Our flight left at 5:35 which was perfect. We got on the plane hung out a little bit, ate their wonderful dinner (yes, I'm serious. I love British Airline's meals) let Tae watch a movie and feed Eli, change into jammies, and put to sleep. We actually had a bulk head sit this time so we were able to put Eli in a bassinette thing that he was almost too big for, but completely awesome because he slept so good. We set up a nice little bed on the floor for Tae and he slept great. Until the flight attendant came and told us that he wasn't aloud to be on the floor. Then he had to sleep on our lap, which, if you have seen my child lately, isn't that easy. But we made it work. We woke up, had breakfast, and got ready to get off. Tae slept the entire time, even through landing until right to the end. So really, must say, one of my best, easiest flights. Bummer was that we had to wait 4 hours in the airport in London for our next flight. It ended up being fine, just boring and we were tired. We did find a Starbucks though! Then off to Lyon. Another pretty easy flight and we were there!

I think on the drive home from the airport we were all a little delirious from being so tired. My aunt still had the utmost patience as I listened to Tae ask Aunt Veta the same question probably 50 times she answered in the same sweet tone, like she wasn't at all annoyed. I was annoyed just listening! Another thing that must come with age and experience, right?? Man, I hope so, because to be honest, not looking good for me right now!

We arrived at our house at around 8:00 probably. Our house is one of those houses in France where you think "who lives there?" Yep. We live there. France is very rural outside of the cities. St Etienne is a bigger city, but we are living just on the outside of it. So the highways that connect everything aren't very big, they are like our regular streets in California. So you will be driving down this little 'highway' in France and all of a sudden there is a little house right next to the highway. I always wondered who would live there. Well now that's me. But it is a nice place. Two stories, 3 decent sized bedrooms, 2 couches that turn into beds with lovely slip cover things... The unfortunate thing is that the floor creaks pretty bad in the kitchen, well most of the house. But we are learning where to step to not make it so bad. There is only one bathroom and it is downstairs which stinks when we have guests. Which I hope we do! :)

Then the transformation began. All my aunts and mom walked into this place and went to work. Even after that long flight, they started right away. I can't tell you how awesome the difference is. I will show you with before and after pics. I just can't find them on my computer right now, so they will come later.

Our luggage

He is gonna miss Poppy!

My happy little guy

That bumbo came in handy!

Tae being the awesome little boy he is

Eli not sleeping in his basinette

So cute!

We were tired

Aunt Veta and her never-ending patience

Yep, we had the team bus get us from the airport

Aunt Donna and Lilo chattin' it up

Poor baby was so tired!

We have arrived at the apartment!

So that is all for now. You might have an idea of why I have to break up the trip into sections to write about. It was seriously jam packed! So stay tuned!

Vivant en France! Again!

It has been so long since I wrote anything.  I just checked the last date I wrote and I can see why.  It was the day Lavar left for France.  Then I had 2 months to prepare everything, pack everything, and basically uproot our lives in little Simi Valley and move half way across the world to St Etienne, France.  So needless to say, I was busy. 

But we are here now!  Finally settled in and I have a few moments to update everyone.  It took a while, a lot of organization (skills that I don't have... thankfully I have a sister-in-law who does!), and a little procrastination to get everything packed.  So 9 checked in suitcases, 5 carry ons, diaper bag, 2 kids, 1 mommy, 1 grammy and 3 aunts later we were on the plane!!!  Yes, you did read that right, 3 aunts later.  Let me explain...

I have probably the most wonderful family in the world.  I love each one so dearly.  I feel so undeservingly blessed when it comes to the people that God has placed around me and that I can call family.  Every time we move my mom usually comes with me to help us move.  Well this year she mentioned to her sister, Veta, that she should come along.  Then thought twice with "Oh, you probably wouldn't want to leave Tim".  "I could leave Tim" was my aunts response.  Two days later, she was booked on the flight!  Then a couple weeks before take off I had a going away party for Tae.  My mom and her sisters were talking about how fun it would be if they all went.  My Aunt Jan has never been to Europe and my Aunt Donna is a French teacher who loves to travel.  Well, the next morning Aunt Jan shows up at my door before her class (also a teacher) with her airline miles and credit card in hand asking me to figure everything out for her.  Later that day, booked!  When my other aunt found out, she was booked the next day (different flight but same travel period).  So off to France we go!

We got here late Tuesday night, the 28th of September.  As tired as we all were, and we were tired, everyone got right to work in the apartment.  I can't believe what master minds these women are.  You would not believe what they are capable of!  Just for an example, I will expand on this later, they turned an old gross attic thing into a beautiful, clean pantry!  And we always need extra room for food.  We spent a few days getting the apartment in order, decorating, cleaning, organizing.  I must say, I felt a little lost here.  I am not particularly good at any of these things, so I kinda just putzed around doing what they told me to.  Hopefully what they do comes with age and experience and I am just not there yet, but it's in my blood, right?  Right?  We then decided we wanted to make a trip.  So we loaded up the car, and when I say loaded, I am not kidding, and drove to Switzerland!  Luckily, my boys are born travelers, or made, either way, but they did awesome.  Because after a beautiful time in Switzerland we drove up to Paris, about 5 hours.  Got lost for about 2 hours and saw about 8 minutes of Lavar's game.  Then stayed the night there in a hotel that, let's just say wasn't 5 stars... or 4 or 3 maybe... Well, we are all troopers!  Then the next day we saw the city and drove home that night.  I might have scared them a tad bit with my driving, but we made it!  And in good time I might add!

We finished up the apartment and proceeded to get lost quite a bit more in the city of St. Etienne.  I have actually never been lost more times in my entire life.  I did hear that this was a confusing place though, that makes me feel a tad bit better.  And then they had to leave... :(   So sad.  Our house is so quite and not nearly as clean without them all.  As I mentioned in the begininng, I love my family and I love being surrounded by them.  But this is the time in our lives right now, and this is what our family has to do.  I can understand that and appreciate it for what it is.  We're living in France for crying out loud! 

Now life.  Just regular life with a few complications.  For example, Tae's name is pronounced exactly the same as the word tea in French.  So when people ask his name they think we are saying tea, like to drink.  Like we named him apple juice or something.  Oh well, Tae is a tough, strong, resiliant kid and is adjusting wonderfully.  He did say that he wanted to go to his other home with his Lightening McQueen bed.  Thanks Grammy and Poppy for making that house so stinkin' cool!  He is doing good, though, and will be speaking French in no time. 

Sorry for what feels like rushing through this.  I just wanted to give a real quick overview of what has happened in the last two months or two weeks.  When I get a chance I want to write more about the things that have been going on individually.  And besides, the E-man just woke up which means no time for mommy.  I will write more consistently, promise!!