We decided to go visit Denis's parents this past weekend. We are not used to being able to drive to see family, so this was a very easy trip for us. We packed up the 307 and in 3 hours we were there. The trip is from France to France, but we drive most of the way in Switzerland! We were more than ready to get out of the temporary house and be in a real house for a couple of nights. Denis's mom made red cabbage with chestnuts and apples (a yummy French side dish in the fall) and Denis felt like a little kid again. We all got "manalas" for breakfast. Manala is an Alsatian word for little man and they make them around St. Nicolas and Christmas. They are little brioche breads in the shape of a man- kind of like a gingerbread man except made out of brioche. Etienne ate 2 whole ones for breakfast on Saturday morning! Denis and I got time to oursevles!!! Saturday morning we snuck out the door and headed to Masevaux, 2 or 3 villages away, and we had a coffee in a little pastry shop and then I headed to "Chez Elsie," where Denis's cousin's daughter Chloe works now as a hairdresser, to get my hair highlighted and cut (blond and chocolate highlights and in a longish bob). Denis headed off to his cousin Brigitte's for more coffee.
Saturday afternoon we dropped by Jean-Luc's house in Michelbach to give his daughter Mathilda her 5th birthday present. It was a short visit made even shorter by Xavier throwing up all over Denis and in the kitchen sink- poor baby. He continued to throw up through the night and the next day. Then came the fever. Etienne got the flu on Monday- fever, vomiting, etc. It is now Tuesday night- the boys are all sleeping and I hope we will wake up tomorrow healthy. It has been about 60 degrees in the Geneva area, so I want to get outside and play. I did go for about an hour walk this afternoon with the boys just to breathe some fresh air. Apparently 5 other families from our CERN toddler group have this same flu- so guess where we picked it up?
Next on the agenda- I am dying for a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte, but I have to drive to Geneva to find it. The closest one might be at the airport and I may be headed there tomorrow. Tomorrow evening we meet the owners of the house we are renting who decided they didn't want to sign the lease unti they meet us. Thursday, Denis and Etienne meet with the principal and new teacher at Etienne's new school "ecole maternelle" in Sergy. Hopefully he can start on Friday! We also have a ton of forms to fill out so that our container(s) can make it through customs and get to us. If we're feeling good tomorrow, Etienne may go to the daycare at the mall to play with some friends and he needs a hair cut.
Other than the stomach flu, I am loving living vicariously through you! I know things are really still unsettled and stressful, but you always know how to find the fun! I think of you often, and hope you will be settling in soon. xoxo, kt
ReplyDeleteEmily,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great way to keep upin touch; thanks for doing it. I love your stories and am impressed by the job at CERN---that is awesome! One little critique: I would love to see more pictures. Other than that, say hi to Denis for me and I hope all is well.