We've Got the Place to Ourselves!

I had a bit of a pity party for myself today. 

Each morning that we've been here, we walk to school to get our energies out (as the French say). It's a good thing really, to take a brisk walk up hill on our way to class, but my kids are loud. SO loud, that their noise bounces off the buildings and the narrow lanes. We are the only noise in town. 

Walking to school.

I urgently tell them -- guys, it's early, you're too loud; guys, shh - you'll wake up the whole village; boys, this town isn't empty you know,  it's just that everyone else is quiet!

Well, I was wrong. It is empty.

The school did not tell me that we chose a week when the French schools are on winter holiday. They offered me other weeks (one package at a different time in January was actually cheaper), but this one fit my kids' school schedules better, so I picked it.

Although the school provided me with a list of the shops and restaurants' hours, it's been hit or miss. Some of them are never open; I thought it was the lackadaisical French, then I noticed one sign read "closed for vacation; will return March 8." Hmmmm. Figures.

Sunday was sunny and beautiful, the Parisian tourists were in town; kids were playing in the square. Since then it's been quiet ---- and rainy.

It wouldn't matter except that my kids are extroverts (as many of you know) and are dying to see some kids and practice their French. Our class took a field trip today to the baker so my children could practice ordering les baguettes, then we hit the tourist office to try and find some other activities for my kids. Our teacher could see the frustration on my face when we asked the director about the numerous local activities and she kept saying, but not this week, but not this week! 

After we returned to the school, I told our teacher that I thought the school should have warned me. I could have rented a car or planned more outside activities. That's when I started feeling sort of sorry for myself. I told her that it had rained all day yesterday and my kids didn't want to go out for lunch yesterday because of the rain. Cooper was stir crazy and misbehaving. I fought back tears to tell our teacher-- if only I had known....! 

Luckily, the sun came out today. We found a little playground which my children loved-- even Samuel! I have reached out to a couple of local tour companies to beg for some arrangements to take us to do something, anything to keep us from wandering the empty streets. We had a great French lunch today at a cafe where the owners were so nice to my kids (well, of course, there was no one else in the restaurant!). 

After the park, my kids came back to our little yard and played outside for over an hour. Tonight, we hosted a teacher here in our apartment for a French cooking class. The kids helped make crepes and chocolate mousse. I thought their behavior was a little crazy, but when she said Samuel's French was lovely, my mood totally changed for the better.

Well that, and she gave me a little pep talk. She has taught at the school for a few years and she has a five year old son. She promised that although my kids aren't always participating and speaking, that the lessons sink in and that two weeks was a good amount of time to give them some "very good French." 

She and I were making a crust for quiche-- something I would not do at home, so please don't tell my husband-- it was ripping as we tried to pull it off the board. She offered to make a new one and I said-

-- NO! we will make it work-- I did not come all this way to abandon this crust-- and I did not come all this way for my children NOT TO LEARN FRENCH! We mothers must be optimistic! That is our job!

She probably thinks I am crazy, but I think she agreed with me anyway. Or she was scared of me.

Above left, Bennett prepares the crepe batter,  while above right, the teacher shows Samuel what "hard snow" (stiff peaks) means and Bennett prepares to flip the crepe after dinner.

Boys enjoy the crepes they made.