Dear Rachel
You are now counting down the days till you turn 6 and are so exited.
You tell me that you love me and even when you are 90 you will still love me – thank you I really appreciate it.
It feels like you have changed so much these last few weeks, few months, since you started public school.
You love your school and everything about it. You think your teacher Mrs. Hardwick is funny and I can see that. She sings a lot to you. After school you go to daycare inside the school. When I ask you what the best part of your day was, I always get the same answer 'daycare" where you do in 2 hours a zillion art activities. Ms Judy is exceptionally creative and comes up with wonderful ideas.
I was so concerned for you about the change from private Montessori school where you were sharing the attention of 2 teachers and 2 assistant with your 23 classmates to public school where you share Mrs. Hardwick's attention with 20 other classmates. You have a reading buddy Anna and enjoys her weekly visits. I had the opportunity to attend your class one morning and meet Amelia, Grace and Daniel who sit at the same table; join a field trip on the school bus and see how Loic and Valentine were nice to you, go to a pajama reading party in the evening and sit near you an Kathleen; attend a $ raising at a local restaurant and meet with Kathleen's mom; get you from the daycare and see how well you play with Carolyn and Corondon. Last week-end we went to Ian's birthday where the whole class was invited and there again I had the opportunity to observe you with your friends. You know Ian from the summer swimming classes.
Academically you are now reading short books and are still amazed when you can read a road sign or what is written on your tea-shirt. At home we can not spell out "ice cream" anymore because you do get it.
You still love to draw and paint. You draw dolls and make clothes for them. You like to wear some makeup and I let you do it once in a while during the week-end. Nail polish is a must and your style is always refreshing and it did sometimes inspire me (putting 2 colors of nail polish at the same hand).
You are a very caring person and you like to sooth your sister when she is sad. She even cries for you when she does not get my attention.
When you have play dates, your friends always leave with a toy you give them and sometimes you do not understand why some of your friends are not sharing.
Bedtime is now calmer and papa and I say goodbye at the same time 8pm, leave the light on and let you both fall asleep.
During the week-end you love to snuggle in our bed but your sister beats you to that one.
Ma grande cherie
Tu sais quand est ton anniversaire et tu decomptes les jours depuis mi-novembre.
Tu as choisi ton cadeau d'anniversaire la semaine derniere et il est toujours emballe. Tu l'ouvriras le 30. Meme et marraine Jenny t'ont envoye un colis et la encore tu les as mis de cote pour les ouvrir mercredi.
Je t'ai explique que mamy te mettait de l'argent a la banque en Belgique (un grand cochon) a toutes les occasions. Tu etais tres impressionnee de savoir que tu avais un cochon avec des billets! et que Mamy y mettait souvent des billets, non pas seulement pour ton anniversaire aussi a Paques, a la nouvelle annee et d'autres evenements que maman ne manque pas de feter et de penser a toi.
Tu es toujours aussi gentille et me dis que tu m'aimes bcp et meme que lorsque tu auras 90 ans tu m'aimerais toujours autant. J'ai bcp de chance.
Tu adores ta petite sœur et aimes la consoller et lorsqu'elle pleure et t'appelle, tu voles a son secours et la prend dans tes bras et la berce doucement et elle se calme. Tu aimes lorsqu'elle se joint a toi pour tes activites. J'adore vous voir vous donner la main quand vous traversez la rue ou jouez au parc.
Tu aimes bcp ta nouvelle ecole et n'a jamais mentionne que tu regrettais WFCH. J'avais un peu peur que d'aller chercher Natalie tous les jours tu aurais voulu y restourner. Non, tu aimes revoir tes amis qui te font la fete a chaque fois et de temps en temps flaner dans la classe et regarder les anciennes activites.
Tu aimes toujours dessiner, mettre en couleur. Tu dessines des poupees et confectionnes leur habits, tu es tres creative et d'ailleurs veux devenir un fashion designer. Pourquoi pas?
Tu commences a lire et t'emerveilles qd tu te rends compte que tu sais lire un panneau le long de la route ou meme ce qui est ecrit sur un t-shirt. Tu aimes rire et faire des farces mais n'aimes pas que l'on rit de toi, tu es assez sensible.
Tu aimes nous retrouver le samedi matin au lit et faire un calin avant de regarder les dessin animes a 8h sur TV5.
Maman qui t'aime
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
former evening drama at bedtime/ tout est calme a 20h
Since we do say goodbye at the same time and leave their room after 2 kisses and 1 hug, these images are part of the past.
Apres 2 bisous et une embrassade, tout ce cinema (decrit par les photos) et fini.
Bonsoir papa, bonsoir mama, je vous aime et c'est tout.
mais on garde qd mm les images pour se souvenir que c'etait plus dur avant.
Apres 2 bisous et une embrassade, tout ce cinema (decrit par les photos) et fini.
Bonsoir papa, bonsoir mama, je vous aime et c'est tout.
mais on garde qd mm les images pour se souvenir que c'etait plus dur avant.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
hosting again this year
We had a wonderful time with our friends this past Thursday. Evelyne brought the green beans and Sachim made the mash potatoes and Leslie made Turkey cupcakes for the 5 kids. My role was easy: making pumpkin soup, cooking the turkey, roasting sweet potatoes, potatoes, turnips and carrots and setting the table. Yossi took care of the wine.
La famille Moreaux-Finn et nos invites (Evelyne et Moe et Leora et Jonathan; Monique; Sachin et Leslie et Anjali (et bebe) autour de la table a manger un veloute au potiron, suivi de dinde sans hormones, des haricots verts, des flageolets, de la puree, des pommes de terres douces cuites au four. Le tout arrose de Chateau Neuf du Pape 2007 suivi de tarte au potiron et tartelettes de syrop d'erable. Quel festin et quelle bonne ambiance. Les enfants se sont bien amuses aussi.
Maman, j'espere que l'annee prochaine tu pourras te joindre a nous.
Bisous
Friday, November 25, 2011
bye bye Dora house, hello polly pockets
Harper, our babysitter, gave the girls a box full of litlte dolls with their accessories. They have been playing with them since.
Harper a offert aux filles une boite pleine de petites poupes avec leurs habits, chaussures, chapeaux, .... elles adorent.
Harper a offert aux filles une boite pleine de petites poupes avec leurs habits, chaussures, chapeaux, .... elles adorent.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Natalie is dancing
Comment aurais-je pu resister ne pas filmer Yossi qui dance avec Natalie. Natalie nous montre ce qu'elle a appris aux cours de dance a l'ecole.
Natalie started taking ballet and tap dancing at school last October. She loves it. She already knew all the moves having watched Rachel and practised with her. see videos I was suposed to film Natalie only (2nd video) but having a glimpse of Yossi dancing too was too tempting.
Natalie started taking ballet and tap dancing at school last October. She loves it. She already knew all the moves having watched Rachel and practised with her. see videos I was suposed to film Natalie only (2nd video) but having a glimpse of Yossi dancing too was too tempting.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
evenings are a nightmare
Bed time has never been easy with our daughters and as they share the same room we might have been too lenient in order not to wake the one who was already asleep.
I had recently granted them the last 30 min to play/draw/color and it seemed to work fine. Usualy Rachel would fall asleep while Natalie was still trying to get an extra kiss.
All was quiet and tranquil.
Till recently. Now Rachel wants Yossi to stop by to say good bye too and hold her hand for a while. (I know he used to do it and I found it very sweet). But now our evenings turn into battles with the girls.
On top of that they now wake up during the night because of nightmares: 11, 2am or 3am.. one cries and come to our bedroom. We will not last under these conditions!!!
As of last night we have reinforced discipline and as you know I do not like to raise my voice on my children and threathen them to close the girls should they keep crying at bedtime.
We will read the book in teh living room before going to bed and I will try to put them in bed 10 minutes earlier and we will not come back to their room under no conditions (normal ones of course).
Help me God!
Would welcome any sane solutions.
I had recently granted them the last 30 min to play/draw/color and it seemed to work fine. Usualy Rachel would fall asleep while Natalie was still trying to get an extra kiss.
All was quiet and tranquil.
Till recently. Now Rachel wants Yossi to stop by to say good bye too and hold her hand for a while. (I know he used to do it and I found it very sweet). But now our evenings turn into battles with the girls.
On top of that they now wake up during the night because of nightmares: 11, 2am or 3am.. one cries and come to our bedroom. We will not last under these conditions!!!
As of last night we have reinforced discipline and as you know I do not like to raise my voice on my children and threathen them to close the girls should they keep crying at bedtime.
We will read the book in teh living room before going to bed and I will try to put them in bed 10 minutes earlier and we will not come back to their room under no conditions (normal ones of course).
Help me God!
Would welcome any sane solutions.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
baby shower
My friend Leslie is a few weeks away from giving birth to her 2nd child. Her daughter goes to school with Natalie and they love each other.
Leslie and her husband Sachin are wonderful people and we enjoy their company. We invite each other for dinner and/or playdates for the girls.
Last year at New year's eve, the girls spent 5 hours together and we did not hear them, it was a lovely evening.
Today was Leslie's baby shower. One of her friends brought a book and asked each of us to write a piece of advice for Leslie. She will enjoy reading these messages.
I can't wait for that little boy to enter our life. It wil be so lovely to hold a new born again.
Mon amie Leslie - la maman d'Anjali - attend son 2e bebe, un garcon cette fois-ci.
Aujourd'hui une de ses amies a organise une fete pour elle. C'etait tres sympa.
Je serai contente de pouvoir bientot prendre dans mes bras son petit bout. Elle doit accoucher le 28 decembre, date ou Natalie devait arriver.
Leslie and her husband Sachin are wonderful people and we enjoy their company. We invite each other for dinner and/or playdates for the girls.
Last year at New year's eve, the girls spent 5 hours together and we did not hear them, it was a lovely evening.
Today was Leslie's baby shower. One of her friends brought a book and asked each of us to write a piece of advice for Leslie. She will enjoy reading these messages.
I can't wait for that little boy to enter our life. It wil be so lovely to hold a new born again.
Mon amie Leslie - la maman d'Anjali - attend son 2e bebe, un garcon cette fois-ci.
Aujourd'hui une de ses amies a organise une fete pour elle. C'etait tres sympa.
Je serai contente de pouvoir bientot prendre dans mes bras son petit bout. Elle doit accoucher le 28 decembre, date ou Natalie devait arriver.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Saturday Nov. 19
I have always wanting to volunteer at Thanksgiving and work at Bread ad the city or a similar company.
This past Saturday we went with some colleagues and pack food for Thanksgiving. I was amazed by all the donations they had. We worked hard for 3 hours and got even a cold in the process.
Samedi matin nous sommes alles aider avec qq colleagues a preparer des colis cadeaux pour Thanksgiving pour les plus demunis.
This past Saturday we went with some colleagues and pack food for Thanksgiving. I was amazed by all the donations they had. We worked hard for 3 hours and got even a cold in the process.
Samedi matin nous sommes alles aider avec qq colleagues a preparer des colis cadeaux pour Thanksgiving pour les plus demunis.
Friday, November 18, 2011
crossing the street/ traverser la rue a Washington
I blogged about the fact that I got a ticket for crossing 30 seconds before the light turned green.
A few days later around 5pm, waiting patiently for the light to turn green (see I learn my lesson), a driver went through the red light. Should I have crossed my usual way, I would have been hit by that driver.
So I was not kidding when I said that that young mean officer saved my life.
Un proces pour avoir traverser sur le passage cloute 30 sec avant que le feu ne tourne au vert.... Une semaine apres, vers 17h sur le chemin du metro j'atendais patiemment que le feu passe au vert et une voiture a brule le feu rouge. J'aurais traverse le passage comme je fais d'habitute, j'aurais ete renversee ...
A few days later around 5pm, waiting patiently for the light to turn green (see I learn my lesson), a driver went through the red light. Should I have crossed my usual way, I would have been hit by that driver.
So I was not kidding when I said that that young mean officer saved my life.
Un proces pour avoir traverser sur le passage cloute 30 sec avant que le feu ne tourne au vert.... Une semaine apres, vers 17h sur le chemin du metro j'atendais patiemment que le feu passe au vert et une voiture a brule le feu rouge. J'aurais traverse le passage comme je fais d'habitute, j'aurais ete renversee ...
Thursday, November 17, 2011
workload
Last week I mentioned about work and how busy it was.
My friend Ellen advised me to talk to my boss and how wonderful it turned out.
I just mentioned to her all the things I had to take care and finish before December 15th (she wanted to add 2 new tasks that what I had to do already).
She turned around and said : you are telling you that you have enough work.
I said: "yes, my former colleague used to pull her hair around this time of the year and I used to work with her".
That's all she said to me and she hasn't asked me to take care of the other tasks.
Thank you Ellen.
As soon as I talked to her, I felt so much better and even my workload did not look that much anymore.
J'ai pas mal de taches a finir avant la fin de l'annee et la semaine derniere ma boss annonce en reunion que je devrais aider la secretaire social avec des rsvp pour la venue de notre president car ils sont debordes et que je devrais deja commencer a travailler sur les bourses (autre partie de mon travail). Mon amie Ellen - maman tu l'as rencontree, elle fait partie du groupe de mamans qui ont allete et elle t'a parle francais au musee il y a qq annees. Elle m'a conseille de parler a mon patron
- j'aurais du y penser.
je l'ai fait et elle se rend mieux compte maintenant des choses que je dois finir avant de cloturer les livres et ce poids m'est enleve. Merci Ellen
My friend Ellen advised me to talk to my boss and how wonderful it turned out.
I just mentioned to her all the things I had to take care and finish before December 15th (she wanted to add 2 new tasks that what I had to do already).
She turned around and said : you are telling you that you have enough work.
I said: "yes, my former colleague used to pull her hair around this time of the year and I used to work with her".
That's all she said to me and she hasn't asked me to take care of the other tasks.
Thank you Ellen.
As soon as I talked to her, I felt so much better and even my workload did not look that much anymore.
J'ai pas mal de taches a finir avant la fin de l'annee et la semaine derniere ma boss annonce en reunion que je devrais aider la secretaire social avec des rsvp pour la venue de notre president car ils sont debordes et que je devrais deja commencer a travailler sur les bourses (autre partie de mon travail). Mon amie Ellen - maman tu l'as rencontree, elle fait partie du groupe de mamans qui ont allete et elle t'a parle francais au musee il y a qq annees. Elle m'a conseille de parler a mon patron
- j'aurais du y penser.
je l'ai fait et elle se rend mieux compte maintenant des choses que je dois finir avant de cloturer les livres et ce poids m'est enleve. Merci Ellen
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
organization/ un peu d'ordre
Every evening, the same routing selecting clothes for the next day (as I will be gone by the time they dress up), brushing teeth, using the bathroom and putting on their pajamas.
When the girls were smaller, I used to prepare the clothes by outfit: this t-sheet with this skirt and tights, .... to make Yossi's selection easier in the morning. I abandoned that but this week-end I resumed such a good habbit. For some reasons, it makes my life easier and I feel less stressed around bed time.
I prepared 6 outfits for the girls (an extra one) for the 5 days of the week. For Natalie, I select one and for Rachel, I suggest 2 and she chooses one- so far so good.
Qd les filles etaient petites, je preparais les vetements pour Yossi par couleur: dans les 2 paniers de la table a langer il y avait 5 ensembles complets: jupe ou pantalon avec t-shirt et bas collants assortis. Je suppose que j'ai arrete qd on s'est debarasse de la table a langer. Ce week-end j'ai revu la situation et j'ai commence a refaire la meme chose: jupe, t-shirt, bas-collants sur le mm cintre pour Rachel et pour Natalie les 3 choses pliees ensemble par couleur dans ses tiroirs. Ca simplifie ma vie chaque soir car j'ai deja decide des tenues a porter pour la semaine le week-end avant. De cette facon, je fais une tournante dans les vetements et les vetements fraichement laves sont plies et laisses sur la table en bas.
When the girls were smaller, I used to prepare the clothes by outfit: this t-sheet with this skirt and tights, .... to make Yossi's selection easier in the morning. I abandoned that but this week-end I resumed such a good habbit. For some reasons, it makes my life easier and I feel less stressed around bed time.
I prepared 6 outfits for the girls (an extra one) for the 5 days of the week. For Natalie, I select one and for Rachel, I suggest 2 and she chooses one- so far so good.
Qd les filles etaient petites, je preparais les vetements pour Yossi par couleur: dans les 2 paniers de la table a langer il y avait 5 ensembles complets: jupe ou pantalon avec t-shirt et bas collants assortis. Je suppose que j'ai arrete qd on s'est debarasse de la table a langer. Ce week-end j'ai revu la situation et j'ai commence a refaire la meme chose: jupe, t-shirt, bas-collants sur le mm cintre pour Rachel et pour Natalie les 3 choses pliees ensemble par couleur dans ses tiroirs. Ca simplifie ma vie chaque soir car j'ai deja decide des tenues a porter pour la semaine le week-end avant. De cette facon, je fais une tournante dans les vetements et les vetements fraichement laves sont plies et laisses sur la table en bas.
I like.../ j'aime
Natalie: I like you papa, I like maman, I like Rachel , I like Heidi (dog) and ... I like myself!
Natalie: Je t'aime papa, je t'aime maman, je t'aime Rachel, je t'aime Heidi et ... je m'aime.
Good for you Natalie. C'est bien ma cherie
Natalie: Je t'aime papa, je t'aime maman, je t'aime Rachel, je t'aime Heidi et ... je m'aime.
Good for you Natalie. C'est bien ma cherie
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
what I missed most.. ce qui me manque le + depuis les enfants
Ce qui me manque le plus maintenant que les filles vont bientot avoir 4 et 6 ans??
Je crois que c'est le fait de ne pas parfois dormir toutes mes nuits et surtout de ne jamais savoir qui va me reveiller vers 2h du matin a cause d'un cauchemar.
C'est dur il est vrai quand les filles sont malades et qu;i n;y a que moi qui peut prendre conge. Mais je n'echangerais pas ma place avec celle que j'avais il y a 15 ans, non je suis trop heureuse d'etre maman et grace a ca d'apres pu me rendre compte de l'amour infini qu'une maman peut donner a ses enfants. Merci maman.
Another great topic to discuss
What I miss the most since I have the kids... nothing (I'm just kidding).
I would not want to go backwards in time and not be married and not have them in my life, oh no I love them too much for that.
What I could wish for is some extra help when they are sick and more flexibility with work, but most important at the moment is being able to sleep the whole night without being awaken around 2 or 3am because of a nightmare.
As I am typing this, Yossi has put them in bed and all is quiet. Having a few hours extra at night is nice too.
Je crois que c'est le fait de ne pas parfois dormir toutes mes nuits et surtout de ne jamais savoir qui va me reveiller vers 2h du matin a cause d'un cauchemar.
C'est dur il est vrai quand les filles sont malades et qu;i n;y a que moi qui peut prendre conge. Mais je n'echangerais pas ma place avec celle que j'avais il y a 15 ans, non je suis trop heureuse d'etre maman et grace a ca d'apres pu me rendre compte de l'amour infini qu'une maman peut donner a ses enfants. Merci maman.
Another great topic to discuss
What I miss the most since I have the kids... nothing (I'm just kidding).
I would not want to go backwards in time and not be married and not have them in my life, oh no I love them too much for that.
What I could wish for is some extra help when they are sick and more flexibility with work, but most important at the moment is being able to sleep the whole night without being awaken around 2 or 3am because of a nightmare.
As I am typing this, Yossi has put them in bed and all is quiet. Having a few hours extra at night is nice too.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
traveling before babies/ l'aventure avant les enfants
Voici un resume de mes voyages depuis mon 1er voyage en Espagne avec mon premier salaire. Depuis les voyages se sont succedes: 1er depart les USA, et ensuite voyages au Guatemala, au Mexique, a l'equateur, au Chili et ensuite l'Asie: Hong Kong, Chine, Inde, Laos, Cambodge et le Vietnam.
Et puis le 11 septembre
Depuis lors je n'ai plus aucune envie de faire de longs voyages.
Dans plusieurs annees nous enmenerons les filles a la decouverte du monde mais ca peut encore attendre encore un peu.
Le plus important maintenant ce sont nos voyages annuels de 8h: Washington-Bruxelles-Washington pour aller voir mes parents, ma soeur et ses enfants, et mon frere. Ces voyages me tiennent a coeur et me comblent amplement pour l'instant.
English version:
When I was a child we traveled in Europe. We used to spend 2-3 weeks in either France, Italy or Switzerland but mainly in France where we went camping and dad would made us discovered the castles in La Loire area.
I traveled alone many times afterwards and used to go regularly to Germany to perfect my German (how handy it came when I met my future husband and discovered that German was the only language I could communicate in with his mom - not knowing Russian, Lithuanian or Hebrew).
The first time I flew I went to Spain. I was 22 years old two and spent my first paycheck on that trip.
I came to the US for the first time in 1988 visiting a friend on teh West coast (that adventure changed my life). Afterwards I applied for a job in DC and in 1990 left my cozy job at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels and haven't stopped traveling since.
1991 Hong Kong to visit a friend and then to China with a Chinese tour - I was the only foreigner in the group and my friend told me that if I were to loose her, she would find me being the only white face around
1992 Guatemala where I took Spanish classes and stayed with a family eating beans and cheese every day
1993 Chile where I stayed with friends. I decided not to return to DC as foreseen
but stayed 10 more days and took a cruise on a small 80 passengers boat to go
South to see the glaciers, a real adventure.
1995 Ecuador tracking trip
1996 Mexico leisure trip
1998 Guided tour to India, Rajakstan province. I had injured my foot and could not
walk long distances but still this was my best trip s far.
2000 I had just met my future husband but left him for a 3-week adventure with a
friend to Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia
September 11 - no desire to sit in a plane anymore.
After that the only trips I took were the ones to go to Belgium to see my parents.
In 2005 Rachel was born and in 2007 Natalie. I have to admit that so far my desire for traveling is still dormant. We will travel as a family to show the girls what's around them for sure, but this will wait for another few years.
The only trips we have been taking are Washington-Brussels-Washington and it suits me fine.
Et puis le 11 septembre
Depuis lors je n'ai plus aucune envie de faire de longs voyages.
Dans plusieurs annees nous enmenerons les filles a la decouverte du monde mais ca peut encore attendre encore un peu.
Le plus important maintenant ce sont nos voyages annuels de 8h: Washington-Bruxelles-Washington pour aller voir mes parents, ma soeur et ses enfants, et mon frere. Ces voyages me tiennent a coeur et me comblent amplement pour l'instant.
English version:
When I was a child we traveled in Europe. We used to spend 2-3 weeks in either France, Italy or Switzerland but mainly in France where we went camping and dad would made us discovered the castles in La Loire area.
I traveled alone many times afterwards and used to go regularly to Germany to perfect my German (how handy it came when I met my future husband and discovered that German was the only language I could communicate in with his mom - not knowing Russian, Lithuanian or Hebrew).
The first time I flew I went to Spain. I was 22 years old two and spent my first paycheck on that trip.
I came to the US for the first time in 1988 visiting a friend on teh West coast (that adventure changed my life). Afterwards I applied for a job in DC and in 1990 left my cozy job at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels and haven't stopped traveling since.
1991 Hong Kong to visit a friend and then to China with a Chinese tour - I was the only foreigner in the group and my friend told me that if I were to loose her, she would find me being the only white face around
1992 Guatemala where I took Spanish classes and stayed with a family eating beans and cheese every day
1993 Chile where I stayed with friends. I decided not to return to DC as foreseen
but stayed 10 more days and took a cruise on a small 80 passengers boat to go
South to see the glaciers, a real adventure.
1995 Ecuador tracking trip
1996 Mexico leisure trip
1998 Guided tour to India, Rajakstan province. I had injured my foot and could not
walk long distances but still this was my best trip s far.
2000 I had just met my future husband but left him for a 3-week adventure with a
friend to Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia
September 11 - no desire to sit in a plane anymore.
After that the only trips I took were the ones to go to Belgium to see my parents.
In 2005 Rachel was born and in 2007 Natalie. I have to admit that so far my desire for traveling is still dormant. We will travel as a family to show the girls what's around them for sure, but this will wait for another few years.
The only trips we have been taking are Washington-Brussels-Washington and it suits me fine.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
favorite singer/actor -- chanteur favori
Un des themes proposes parmis tant d'autres est celui d'un amour d'adolescente pour un chanteur/acteur.
Acteur non, mais chanteur oui.
J'adorais Claude Francois, ses chansons du moins mais surtout les claudettes. Pascale Mahieu et moi nous dancions et imitions tous les mouvements. Je me souviens que l'on dansait dans le couloir de l'ecole en face de la porte de Mme Plouvier ou Mme Rute. On etait tellement fiere d'avoir des bottes blanches toutes cintillantes comme celles des claudettes. Elle colaient a la peau et il fallait turer dessus pour les mettre. Ca revient a la mode d'ailleurs, mais peut-etre pas la couleur.
C'est drole que je me souviens encore de ca.
"Le lundi au soleil, c'est une chose que l'on aura jamais, chaque fois c'est pareeil, c'est qd on est derriere les carreaux, que l'on travaille que le ciel est beau...
Maman tu te souviens que Pascale et moi nous dancions comme les claudettes
English version:
I don't recall having had a crush, a creal crush on an actor.
But when I was 8 or so, I do remember that I and my childhood friend Pascale loved a singer named Claude Francois, pop singer that no one knows here of course-. He was wearing outrageous 50s outfits and was dancing with an entourage of beautiful young women.
We loved his songs and during recess at school Pascale and I were singing in the hallway or outside in the playground and mimicking every move they would do while singing. I remember my pair of white shinny boots, similar to the ones these singers used to wear. Pascale and I had the same. How funny I still remember that.
Acteur non, mais chanteur oui.
J'adorais Claude Francois, ses chansons du moins mais surtout les claudettes. Pascale Mahieu et moi nous dancions et imitions tous les mouvements. Je me souviens que l'on dansait dans le couloir de l'ecole en face de la porte de Mme Plouvier ou Mme Rute. On etait tellement fiere d'avoir des bottes blanches toutes cintillantes comme celles des claudettes. Elle colaient a la peau et il fallait turer dessus pour les mettre. Ca revient a la mode d'ailleurs, mais peut-etre pas la couleur.
C'est drole que je me souviens encore de ca.
"Le lundi au soleil, c'est une chose que l'on aura jamais, chaque fois c'est pareeil, c'est qd on est derriere les carreaux, que l'on travaille que le ciel est beau...
Maman tu te souviens que Pascale et moi nous dancions comme les claudettes
English version:
I don't recall having had a crush, a creal crush on an actor.
But when I was 8 or so, I do remember that I and my childhood friend Pascale loved a singer named Claude Francois, pop singer that no one knows here of course-. He was wearing outrageous 50s outfits and was dancing with an entourage of beautiful young women.
We loved his songs and during recess at school Pascale and I were singing in the hallway or outside in the playground and mimicking every move they would do while singing. I remember my pair of white shinny boots, similar to the ones these singers used to wear. Pascale and I had the same. How funny I still remember that.
Friday, November 11, 2011
new job/ nouveau boulot
Early September I accepted a new post. Having worked part-time for the last few years with Anne, the financial officer, in the Press and Public Diplomacy section at the EU, and having loved every aspect of the job, I was so thrilled when they told me this summer that I had been chosen for the job.
These last 2 months have been busy, dealing with our $1 million budget and catching up on all the pending invoices and contracts left aside since the departure of Anne.
I love what I do and feel lucky to have had this opportunity. I am independent and select the timing for all payments and contracts.
After battling with the contractors who have been very kind and cooperative, I have straightened up the books. Does my boss appreciate it? Not sure but I do not care, I am just happy for a work well done.
The next few weeks will be terribly busy as we are coming to the end of the year. I cross my fingers for not forgetting anything I am suppose to do (hope I do know what needs to be done!).
Today I am at home and have for the last 2 hours read and caught up with the last days blog entries of the moms. I love my friends' blogs, they always made me laugh and even cry something.
So happy to have you moms in my life and hope for many more years of friendship.
Depuis mon nouveau travail qui a debute le 1er septembre, je n'ai eu guere le temps de me tourner les pouces. J'aime ce que je fais et le fais avec fierte.
Je suis tres independante et decide de mon timing en ce qui concerne les paiements de nos fournisseurs.
Les prochaines semaines seront assez difficiles et tres occupees car nous fermons les livres debut decembre. Je sais que Anne, mon ancienne collegue paniquait toujours en fin d'annee. Je vais essayer de rester cool.
J'ai remis les livres a jour pour les paiements et contrats et pourrai en fin d'annee/debut de l'an 2012 commencer aussi a traiterles dossiers de bourses avec Helen, je ne vais pas m'ennuyer c'est sur.
These last 2 months have been busy, dealing with our $1 million budget and catching up on all the pending invoices and contracts left aside since the departure of Anne.
I love what I do and feel lucky to have had this opportunity. I am independent and select the timing for all payments and contracts.
After battling with the contractors who have been very kind and cooperative, I have straightened up the books. Does my boss appreciate it? Not sure but I do not care, I am just happy for a work well done.
The next few weeks will be terribly busy as we are coming to the end of the year. I cross my fingers for not forgetting anything I am suppose to do (hope I do know what needs to be done!).
Today I am at home and have for the last 2 hours read and caught up with the last days blog entries of the moms. I love my friends' blogs, they always made me laugh and even cry something.
So happy to have you moms in my life and hope for many more years of friendship.
Depuis mon nouveau travail qui a debute le 1er septembre, je n'ai eu guere le temps de me tourner les pouces. J'aime ce que je fais et le fais avec fierte.
Je suis tres independante et decide de mon timing en ce qui concerne les paiements de nos fournisseurs.
Les prochaines semaines seront assez difficiles et tres occupees car nous fermons les livres debut decembre. Je sais que Anne, mon ancienne collegue paniquait toujours en fin d'annee. Je vais essayer de rester cool.
J'ai remis les livres a jour pour les paiements et contrats et pourrai en fin d'annee/debut de l'an 2012 commencer aussi a traiterles dossiers de bourses avec Helen, je ne vais pas m'ennuyer c'est sur.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
a day at the park with friends/ journee au parc
we went with Evelyne and her kids Leora and Jonathan at Great Falls. They had so much fun.
On a passe l'apres-midi avec Evelyne et ses enfants au parc. Natalie a voulu sauter le ruisseau et s'est retrouvee le pied dand l'eau et le pantalon bien sale. Mais bon, il y avait un peu de soleil et ouf elle n'a pas ete malade par apres. Elles se sont amusees comme des folles et meme parle francais. On avait pris un casse croute et on casse la croute: brioche, speculos, cafe et lait au chocolat. On s'est bien regales.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
dans 20 ans/ year 2032
English translation below
Le 23 juin 2032
Un theme propose par notre groupe est d'ecrire un e-mail comme si on était en l'an 2032. Voici le mien.
Nous allons bientôt atterir a Bruxelles et Yossi s'est endormi. Natalie viendra nous chercher a Zaventem.
Nous sommes venus pour celebrer l'anniversaire de maman demain. Elle va feter ses 94 ans et Vincent a organise une grande fete pour elle avec enfants et petits enfants des 2 cotes tous reunis. On va l'entourer pour souffler ses bougies.
Maman est plus fragile bien sur mais se deplace encore tres bien et a bon pied, bon œil (malgre la perte de la vue de son oeil droit depuis son accident vasculaire le 13 novembre 2009). Papi Christian dirait qu'elle se deplace encore avec une alegresse de jeune fille. Vincent est toujours tres attentionne et ils sont heureux dans leur grande maison/château a Mariembourg avec leur meubles et collections d'objets qui leur donnent leur plus grand plaisir.
Natalie vit depuis 3 mois en Belgique avec son mari qui travaille pour l'otan. On se parle plusieurs fois par semaine mais ils nous manquent déjà beaucoup. Ils seront en Belgique pour 1 an.
Natalie a juste termine sa derniere annee a Bruxelles et va s'octroyer un an pour etre aux cotes de sa mami Nicole cocole. Natalie m'a dit qu'elle avait une grande surprise a m'annoncer. Rachel n'a rien voulu me dire, eles sont tellement complices ces deux la.
Rachel, elle, travaille a Washington et adore son travaille. Elle et son copain habitent a Kensington et on les voit tres souvent. Je vais chercer Emma a l'ecole 3 fois par semaine et c'est un vrai plaisir de revivre a travers elle les premieres annees d'une vie. Je suis maintenant a la retraite et je fais du volontariat a l'ecole d'Emma, ancienne ecole ou les filles sont allees.
Yossi travaille toujours un peu a l'age de 76 ans. Il adore aider les jeunes a monter leur propre compagnie et les aide a transformer leur website en un petit miracle.
On vient de passer l'immigration et je viens de recevoir deux messages; un de Rachel qui me dit qu'elle est avec Natalie et l'autre de Natalie pour me dire qu'elle sont a l'aeroport.
La porte s'ouvre et j'entends Emma qui crie que son papi et mami sont arrives. Mes deux filles nous embrassent et Natalie met la main de son papa ainsi que la mienne sur son petit ventre qui est déjà arrondi …. et nous sourit. Quelle joie je vais etre encore grand-mere et mami arriere grand-mere.
---
I can hear the noise of the engines. Yossi has fallen asleep and I am daydreaming…
The first time I flew with Rachel I was still breastfeeding her, she was 6 months old. Natalie was 1 year old when she flew to Belgium for the first time with me and her sister. We have done this trip so many times now, year after year….
Rachel is now 26 and Natalie 24. Rachel works close to us and lives with her boyfriend in Kensington. Natalie just finished her degree and moved with her husband to Belgium where he will head their new branch for a year. Natalie decided not to work that year. She wants to spend time with her grandma (mami Nicole Co Cole as they used to call her when they were 3 and 5 years old). It will be good to see them again.
Rachel flies often to Belgium for her job and always spends a few days with her grandma during her stay.
We are all gathering in Belgium for my mom’s birthday. She will be 94 tomorrow June 24th, 2032. We will blow the candles with her and I can’t wait to see her. Rachel flew 2 days ago with her family and they are all staying at Natalie’s.
I am a grandma. Rachel’s daughter Emma is already 2.5 years old and she started school. I pick her up after school and we spend the afternoon together 3 times a week. What a delight. Through her I live again the wonderful moments I had with her mom when she was her age. I do have more time now since I retired 2 years ago. Once a week I do volunteer at her school and teach French to the kids. It is what I have always wanted to do and I am doing it.!
Yossi still does some work and helps young people to design their website for free. He has a lot of fun.
Mom and Vincent are still living in the same mansion and Vincent still does his garden at 83!
Mom’s birthday is a surprise. Vincent has organized it all. He will take her for lunch and her favorite restaurant and everybody will be there waiting for her (gosh my sister had her wedding there and so did we). Every child and grandchild on our side and Vincent’s side will be there.
We just went through immigration and I just got 2 messages: one is from Natalie, she is waiting for us at the airport. She has some great news to tell us. The 2nd one is from Rachel, she got a ride with Natalie.
The doors open and Emma yells that grandpa and grandma have arrived. We hug each other and Natalie takes my hand and her dad’s and put them on her belly, she is laughing. She is glowing…. Oh my gosh I am so happy for them.
Le 23 juin 2032
Un theme propose par notre groupe est d'ecrire un e-mail comme si on était en l'an 2032. Voici le mien.
Nous allons bientôt atterir a Bruxelles et Yossi s'est endormi. Natalie viendra nous chercher a Zaventem.
Nous sommes venus pour celebrer l'anniversaire de maman demain. Elle va feter ses 94 ans et Vincent a organise une grande fete pour elle avec enfants et petits enfants des 2 cotes tous reunis. On va l'entourer pour souffler ses bougies.
Maman est plus fragile bien sur mais se deplace encore tres bien et a bon pied, bon œil (malgre la perte de la vue de son oeil droit depuis son accident vasculaire le 13 novembre 2009). Papi Christian dirait qu'elle se deplace encore avec une alegresse de jeune fille. Vincent est toujours tres attentionne et ils sont heureux dans leur grande maison/château a Mariembourg avec leur meubles et collections d'objets qui leur donnent leur plus grand plaisir.
Natalie vit depuis 3 mois en Belgique avec son mari qui travaille pour l'otan. On se parle plusieurs fois par semaine mais ils nous manquent déjà beaucoup. Ils seront en Belgique pour 1 an.
Natalie a juste termine sa derniere annee a Bruxelles et va s'octroyer un an pour etre aux cotes de sa mami Nicole cocole. Natalie m'a dit qu'elle avait une grande surprise a m'annoncer. Rachel n'a rien voulu me dire, eles sont tellement complices ces deux la.
Rachel, elle, travaille a Washington et adore son travaille. Elle et son copain habitent a Kensington et on les voit tres souvent. Je vais chercer Emma a l'ecole 3 fois par semaine et c'est un vrai plaisir de revivre a travers elle les premieres annees d'une vie. Je suis maintenant a la retraite et je fais du volontariat a l'ecole d'Emma, ancienne ecole ou les filles sont allees.
Yossi travaille toujours un peu a l'age de 76 ans. Il adore aider les jeunes a monter leur propre compagnie et les aide a transformer leur website en un petit miracle.
On vient de passer l'immigration et je viens de recevoir deux messages; un de Rachel qui me dit qu'elle est avec Natalie et l'autre de Natalie pour me dire qu'elle sont a l'aeroport.
La porte s'ouvre et j'entends Emma qui crie que son papi et mami sont arrives. Mes deux filles nous embrassent et Natalie met la main de son papa ainsi que la mienne sur son petit ventre qui est déjà arrondi …. et nous sourit. Quelle joie je vais etre encore grand-mere et mami arriere grand-mere.
---
I can hear the noise of the engines. Yossi has fallen asleep and I am daydreaming…
The first time I flew with Rachel I was still breastfeeding her, she was 6 months old. Natalie was 1 year old when she flew to Belgium for the first time with me and her sister. We have done this trip so many times now, year after year….
Rachel is now 26 and Natalie 24. Rachel works close to us and lives with her boyfriend in Kensington. Natalie just finished her degree and moved with her husband to Belgium where he will head their new branch for a year. Natalie decided not to work that year. She wants to spend time with her grandma (mami Nicole Co Cole as they used to call her when they were 3 and 5 years old). It will be good to see them again.
Rachel flies often to Belgium for her job and always spends a few days with her grandma during her stay.
We are all gathering in Belgium for my mom’s birthday. She will be 94 tomorrow June 24th, 2032. We will blow the candles with her and I can’t wait to see her. Rachel flew 2 days ago with her family and they are all staying at Natalie’s.
I am a grandma. Rachel’s daughter Emma is already 2.5 years old and she started school. I pick her up after school and we spend the afternoon together 3 times a week. What a delight. Through her I live again the wonderful moments I had with her mom when she was her age. I do have more time now since I retired 2 years ago. Once a week I do volunteer at her school and teach French to the kids. It is what I have always wanted to do and I am doing it.!
Yossi still does some work and helps young people to design their website for free. He has a lot of fun.
Mom and Vincent are still living in the same mansion and Vincent still does his garden at 83!
Mom’s birthday is a surprise. Vincent has organized it all. He will take her for lunch and her favorite restaurant and everybody will be there waiting for her (gosh my sister had her wedding there and so did we). Every child and grandchild on our side and Vincent’s side will be there.
We just went through immigration and I just got 2 messages: one is from Natalie, she is waiting for us at the airport. She has some great news to tell us. The 2nd one is from Rachel, she got a ride with Natalie.
The doors open and Emma yells that grandpa and grandma have arrived. We hug each other and Natalie takes my hand and her dad’s and put them on her belly, she is laughing. She is glowing…. Oh my gosh I am so happy for them.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
change of time/ changement d'heure
Il est 5h30 et je viens de reprendre Rachel. Il fait noir dehors et elle se demande pourquoi je viens la chercher si tard (puiqu'il fait noir il doit etre tard). je lui explique que l'on a change les heures et que c'est pour ca qu'il faisait clair ce matin.
Pourquoi?? je luis explique du mieux que je peux - pour que l'on ne doive pas allumer la lampe au bureau, pour economiser de l'energie (de toute facon la lampe est tjs allumee...)
R: ils ne sont pas un petit peu malade dans leur tete?
It was dark by the time I picked up Rachel and she assumed that I was late and asked me why. I explained that we had changed the time so industries could save on energy. That's why it was bright thei morning when they woke up.
Rachel: aren't they a little bit sick in their head?
ps. last night, the roles were changed at the Finn's.Papa put the girls in bed while mom was readling the MoM's entries entered since Friday.
Pourquoi?? je luis explique du mieux que je peux - pour que l'on ne doive pas allumer la lampe au bureau, pour economiser de l'energie (de toute facon la lampe est tjs allumee...)
R: ils ne sont pas un petit peu malade dans leur tete?
It was dark by the time I picked up Rachel and she assumed that I was late and asked me why. I explained that we had changed the time so industries could save on energy. That's why it was bright thei morning when they woke up.
Rachel: aren't they a little bit sick in their head?
ps. last night, the roles were changed at the Finn's.Papa put the girls in bed while mom was readling the MoM's entries entered since Friday.
Monday, November 7, 2011
rouler dans les feuilles
Il a fait bon hier et pendant que je plantais des iris, les filles ont joue dehors. Lorsqu'elles ont vu Rodny, notre voisin elles ont courru lui dire bonjour. Apres elles se sont amusees a rouler dans l'herbe. In front of the house, there is a little hill and the girls had so much fun playing there.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
nail polish/ vernis
pourquoi j'ai 2 sortes de vernis sur les doigts: du rose et du brun?
J'ai copie Rachel et elle voulait mettre 2 sortes de vernis pour creer un "Pattern" et j'ai trouve ca joli.
2 differents colors of nail poslish on the same hand... why not!?
Rachel wanted to create a pattern and it was very nice. Natalie and I have the same too.
J'ai copie Rachel et elle voulait mettre 2 sortes de vernis pour creer un "Pattern" et j'ai trouve ca joli.
2 differents colors of nail poslish on the same hand... why not!?
Rachel wanted to create a pattern and it was very nice. Natalie and I have the same too.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
poppet show/ guignol
samedi j'ai enmene les filles au theatre voir une troupe de Bulgarie. Tous les characteres representaient des bonbons, c'etait vraiment trop mignon. Pendant 50 minuts, Rachel et Natalie n'ont pas bouge et ont adore le spectacle. Nous etions au premier rang.
Do not miss Bon Bon Ole poppet show, free show in the contact of the EuroKids Festival. This Bulgarian show is fantastic. We had a lot of fun Saturday.
Do not miss Bon Bon Ole poppet show, free show in the contact of the EuroKids Festival. This Bulgarian show is fantastic. We had a lot of fun Saturday.
Friday, November 4, 2011
4-6pm from hell
Yesterday I took the metro (having generously offered my work parking space to a colleague).
Crossing the street in front of Farragut North metro station, I have to admit when the light was still red for me, I got myself asked for my ID and got a ticket!
OK, maybe that young female police officer saved my life... (have to keep a positive attitude)
At Grosvenor metro station, walking towards the parking where I had left my car, I relized that I hd left my car and house keys at work in my other bag. Walking to/from the house would take too long and I would never got in time to pick up both girls by 6pm. I took a car and asked him to wait for me while I retrieved the 2nd set of keys.
When Rachel mentioned later on in the car that she'd like me to pick her up later at the daycare/school, I told her that today I WAS LATEe and told her the reasons.
Her reply: I don't believe it! (I thought about Silvia's story)
Then she added: I am glad you had a little break in the taxi - lucky ducky!
It is good that later on that evening, I joined some friends at the AFI Silver theater to see the EU film opening.
Crossing the street in front of Farragut North metro station, I have to admit when the light was still red for me, I got myself asked for my ID and got a ticket!
OK, maybe that young female police officer saved my life... (have to keep a positive attitude)
At Grosvenor metro station, walking towards the parking where I had left my car, I relized that I hd left my car and house keys at work in my other bag. Walking to/from the house would take too long and I would never got in time to pick up both girls by 6pm. I took a car and asked him to wait for me while I retrieved the 2nd set of keys.
When Rachel mentioned later on in the car that she'd like me to pick her up later at the daycare/school, I told her that today I WAS LATEe and told her the reasons.
Her reply: I don't believe it! (I thought about Silvia's story)
Then she added: I am glad you had a little break in the taxi - lucky ducky!
It is good that later on that evening, I joined some friends at the AFI Silver theater to see the EU film opening.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
to remember
We are sitting in the car at a stop light. Rachel turns to her right and asks why the man to her right does not have a child in his car.
Natalie answers that not everybody has children and that he might not even be married.
Rachel then replies "yes he must have too many girlfriends to know which one to choose from"
Of course I laughed and she was not pleased at my reaction.
I had then to explain that it was quite unseal for a 6-year old to notice such things.
She replied that she KNEW because she too has many boyfriends to choose from
ps. when we both go to pick her Natalie at her school, all her former buddies (Victor, Aaron, Wilmo) yell her name and run to her to say hi. Then they play for 5-10 min while Natalie says her last good-bye to her friends.
Natalie answers that not everybody has children and that he might not even be married.
Rachel then replies "yes he must have too many girlfriends to know which one to choose from"
Of course I laughed and she was not pleased at my reaction.
I had then to explain that it was quite unseal for a 6-year old to notice such things.
She replied that she KNEW because she too has many boyfriends to choose from
ps. when we both go to pick her Natalie at her school, all her former buddies (Victor, Aaron, Wilmo) yell her name and run to her to say hi. Then they play for 5-10 min while Natalie says her last good-bye to her friends.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Halloween pictures
here are some before and after event pictures and even one from last Friday at Rachel's school.
Rachel was in such a rush to wear her costume that while she was putting it on, she bumped her head on the side of her metal bed (see bump on 1st picture).
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
blogging again
here we go again: 30 days of news and pictures to my mom's delight. Our moms' group is doing it again this year.
Ca y est on est reparti pour 30 jours de nouvelles et de photos juste pour mamy.
Ca y est on est reparti pour 30 jours de nouvelles et de photos juste pour mamy.
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