American Independence Day

American Independence Day: There were no parades or fireworks in France on the 4th of July. We did our best to celebrate & remember the USA. I fixed pink sprinkle pancakes with raspberries for breakfast. Clara & Lilly organized a parade and float on the bridge in our house. Our friends from Australia were over so we tried to create a little feel of Americana for them. In the evening we were invited with the Reed’s for dinner at Hal & Suzi Gregorsons home. The kids ran through their beautiful backyard & we all enjoyed watermelon & potato salad for dinner. As much as we love France we also love America. We are looking forward to free & clean toilets, drinking fountains in every building, convenience stores, big parking places, ice, bbq & reuniting with family & friends and all of the other wonderful freedoms & opportunities that the USA offers.

Poisson d'avril (April Fish = April Fools!)

One fish, two fish, red fish blue fish. It didn't matter the size or color of your fish, today you just wanted to tape as many fish as you could to your friends, teachers and parents backs. Clara shows off her last catch of the school day. Bet you didn't know that April Fools Day originated in France. When the implementation of the Gregorian calendar was changed, by Charles IX in 1564, the beginning of the new year was changed and celebrated on January 1st, instead of March 31. The people who still celebrated the day on the first of April were know as April Fools'. Before the change of the date it was customary to give gifts on the first day of the year so when the date was changed people began sending mock gifts to other people on April 1st making them April fools. In France a person who resisted in changing the date of the new year was victimized by pranksters who played practical jokes on him, this person came to be known as a poisson d'avril otherwise known as an April Fish. Olivia said that you couldn't tell what was truth and what was a prank today. Even her school teacher pulled a fast one and told all of the kids that they would not have sport. The class believed him because in France teachers are not really known to be the joking type.

Leprechaun

Everything about today said, "Lucky"! The kids woke up happy and energetic...After all those sneaky leprechauns made mischief throughout the house while everyone was sleeping. Furniture was out of place and turned upside down, books askew AND the leprechaun trap Clara and Lilly built was full of booty (chocolate coins and green candy)! No, they didn't catch a leprechaun, but they had fun trying.