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So much has happened since my last post. Xavier turned 2 on Aug.19th weighing in at 33 lbs. and measuring 37 inches. Etienne turned 4 on September 11th weighing 45 lbs. and measuring 45 inches. I have two tall, healthy, energetic, creative, rambunctious, independent, loving, bilingual, hungry boys. I am blessed.
Denis and I had a successful trip to Ireland visiting Aisling, Damien, And Aoibheann on the way in and out of Dublin. My good friend Jessica whom I met in Kindergarten at St. Pat's in Kankakee, Il and who poked me in the eye with a pencil at parents' day, married an Irish guy from Limerick in Dingle. Denis and I had a great time at their gorgeous wedding and enjoyed driving along the left-hand side of the road gawking at the coastline. Many pints of Guinness and Bulmer's were consumed that weekend.
Etienne began his second year of French "maternelle" and is now in "moyenne section" and has a male teacher, Laurent, who, according to Etienne, is not scary. He also gets to eat at the "cantine" this year 2 days a week leaving time for me to prepare for my classes and breathe. Xavier started "garderie" at CERN which is much more like playschool than a daycare. They have activity centers (library, kitchen, painting, drawing/playdo, music) and group snack and playtime outside on a choo choo train. He seems to like it but won't let go of his "epatant" blanky for anything.
I am commencing my evening classes teaching French and English at CERN tonight. I think I'm ready? I'll be teaching 1 English class, 1 Beginning French, and 2 Intermediate French classes. I'm definitely excited about the challenge of keeping these adult women interested and helping them with their French.
This weekend we'll be heading to Guewenheim for the annual St. Maurice Market in the streets. Everyone makes prune tarts and the kids get to buy candy and other junk food in the stands (okay and me too). Plus, I'll get to get my hair done by Chloe:) We have booked our trip to Paris for the end of October and I am SO excited to take the boys there. Also, I need to apply for my India visa for Molly's November 23rd wedding and Denis has to finalize his Stanford/Argonne trip for November as well. Before we know it, it will be ski season.
