Francais

Since I've last written, not too much has happened--I've spent a few days with two of the kids while the middle child was at his Grandparents'. We've done more driving so I know where things are around town, we've done lots of playing, we've done some crying (well not me... yet), we've been for a walk, we've made some button bracelets, and we've been getting ready for the beginning of the school year. I've been introduced to true Bollywood (Slumdog Millionaire is NOT appreciated by Bollywood standards), Lazy Town (a "very" British kids show, I'd say a mix between Sesame Street and Clone High with Jim Carey thrown in there), and Mr. Bean (which I have to admit is much funnier than the previews for the movies give it credit). Oh, and I played some Wii the other day with real French teenagers.

It took the two older kids a grand total of three days before they threw the L word at me, and it took the little one four days. He runs hot and cold but is super sweet and cuddly when he feels like being friendly. I'm pretty sure the oldest said it because she wants me 'on her side'--she seems to think I'm not here to look after/play with the others, just her. She has some wonderful qualities as well, of course. She's crafty, artistic, and smart; she patiently cares to explain things to me and to take care of her brothers. I think the tensions are higher with school just around the corner, but I think I'm going to be grateful that she's as old and mature as she is--I have someone to share interests with, to gossip about the boys in her class, and to teach the lessons of life. The middle child wears his heart on his sleeve and is utterly embarrassed by the fact. We click without having to say much. Mostly, I don't think he understands a word I say. I have to keep reminding myself not to laugh with him while he torments his siblings.

At the dinner table I was quizzed a bit on my French, and now that the little one is in the habit of speaking more English on his own, I think this will be a regular activity. I didn't do very well. At this rate, I'll be able to read French without being able to speak any of it! I can't wait for classes to start, but to be honest, I doubt any teacher will be better than the youngest in the family. I don't have to be afraid of sounding like an idiot around him, he makes me repeat myself until I get it right, he clearly exibits his frustrations with me, and he grabs my face and pulls my mouth in the right shape if I don't get it right after a while. But he never gets mad--he just thinks I'm funny. I also go over conjugations with the oldest and try to listen intently when people are conversing in French, which feels strangely intrusive.

Our schedule is coming together now, slowly. I won't have to wake up early except for on Thursdays and whenever my French classes are. Saturday we're going to check out what other activities are available--I think I want to take a weekly dance class. Fridays I think I'll have off. In my free time, I've been watching How I Met Your Mother, translating my book on Paris, and reading Kerouac. I have lots of coffee dates to set up with other au pairs. Did I mention how the center of town is the MOST ADORABLE neighborhood I have ever seen in my life?! I can't wait to have an afternoon's walk into town to take some pictures. I'll be going to the Swiss Embassy on Tuesday morning, so I think I'll probably just make one trip to Paris this weekend--Sunday, I think, to try to visit the Louvre for free. Still super excited to be here--just getting down to business a bit more now. And I might pick up a British accent...