Lots of things happening...

Kids had their first doctor visit.  They need to have a doctor certification form to participate in any city sports/classes. This doctor was recommended as he speaks English and makes house calls when your children are sick.  The exam was quick- $25 each and now Alex can play hockey and the girls can do gymnastics.  We were quite surprised at the doctors office.   First of all there was no appointment- he just recommended times for me for bringing 4 children.  It is just a waiting room and his office- which includes a desk, cot, chair and equipment. No reception, no nurses, no examination room.  He answers all phone calls, took my payment and gave me a receipt for insurance.  It makes one re-evaluate our healthcare system....once again!

Alex had his first playdates.  Two of his classmates came over and he has been to a friends house as well.  So far this is a good year for Alex- he is making friends easily and is actually enjoying school. The school is so nurturing.  As 1/3 of kids are new each year the system is set up to help guide the kids yet encourage independence.  The counselor visits the children in small groups every month to ensure everyone is getting acclimated.  They have many field trips and do a lot of team building events.  Each class beginning in grade 2 have a week overnight field trip.  No communication with their parents for a whole week!  The 2nd graders go to a circus camp, 3rd to a farm in Normandy where each child is assigned an animal to care for the week and they learn about agriculture.  4th go hiking on a volcano and they learn about geography and 5th go clam digging and do other adventures in Brittany. The middle and upper school kids take even bigger trips- to Switzerland, UK and even Africa to help local students learn English.  Their is even an optional ski trip for grades 3-5 in Switzerland over Feb break.  I wish the kids could have all these experiences!   In fact, Olivia said to me this weekend that she doesn't think one year is long enough and thinks we should stay 2 or 3....

We went to visit 4 of Chris's cousins and their families this weekend.   It was great to see 10 little cousins playing.  The oldest being 12 and the youngest at 2  We brought some gifts for them from the states.  One of which was a shinny hockey set.  It was fun watching Alex introduce his french cousins to this "new sport".  They all played so well together.  It was also such a pleasure to meet Chris's family.  I hope to see them more often.

cousins

Our neighboring town- Garches, had a festival on Sunday.  Kids enjoyed the puppet show and activities.  Kids asked for cotton candy and since we never indulge in this - I thought why not? Luciana was afraid to eat it.  She kept saying it was so soft and only wanted to touch it.

This was the small size

enjoying the puppet show - Guignol

Kids also watched a Percy Jackson movie at home.  Luciana has spent the week chasing everyone pretending that she is Medusa.  She keeps telling everyone to look into her eyes.  I had to record it as I caught her doing it to herself in the bathroom mirror....

I am getting know many people at ASP.  Everyone is friendly and welcoming.  Along with the tour group I belong to,  there have been parent social meetings for the grade levels.  The school had a community meeting in which vendors came soliciting everything from doctors, cooking classes, tutors to beauty salons.  I feel like I have a good handle on local resources.  I have also joined the American Womens Group of Paris.  There are loads of activities there as well. I  also met a woman from Mexico who has children at both the American school  as well as the Montessori school. Our boys enjoy playing soccer together and have become friends.  I told her my mom was from Ecuador and she asked if I wanted to join the ASP Latin club.  It gives me a chance to practice my Spanish and meet some new interesting people!

This week is going to be tough as Chris left for the US for 6 days.  Wish me luck!