being creative at home

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Rain activity by Danielle for Learn and Play en Anglais

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There’s never a dull moment when you have little ones under your roof. In my case, I try my hardest to do as much as I can with them and since I naturally gravitate to all things that are artistically creative (especially the messy versions) I usually find that I have as much fun (or more perhaps) as they do. The painting that they did has now dried and is waiting for the next painting session. I have a feeling that it will be displayed proudly in our living room.

Love and light,

Danielle

 

 

 

a year and a half

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We celebrated the fact that our baby girl turned a year and a half this weekend. She says “no”, she makes the Spiderman “hand sign” perfectly (thanks to her brother), she paints like a pro, loves to Skype her grandparents in Spain, pushes her baby doll’s stroller with the determination of a British nanny and stands her ground when you don’t give in to her demands. She’s one tough little cookie and we love her so.

Love and Light,

Danielle

p.s. Picture number two was taken at the movies today. It was the first time that my boy went with friends and it was in 3D to boot. During the movie he and one of his buddies held hands. So very sweet.

boats

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We went out for a little family walk at the beginning of the month and happened to be at the port at the exact moment that the Calanques Classique race was starting. For being a little town I do quite admire that they try to stay active around here.

Love and light,

Danielle

time with family and being present

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Life is speeding by again. I think back to how we were just visiting family, baptizing our children, and yet it feels like that happened several months ago already. I need to slow down that inner clock and take it all in. I kind of feel like I do when I’m in the middle of a wonderful event, taking pictures. It’s not the best. You’re taking pictures and you’re there but you are not really connected. There’s the lens between you and the people or event that you are documenting. There. It’s actually that word, “documenting” that seems to be the problem. Anyhow, I’m still a student when it comes to living in the present. Oddly enough, that’s one lesson that you don’t want to stress out too much over, it takes away from all the regulated breathing and mind-taming.

Love and light,

Danielle

 

 

 

hanging around

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just the sweetest

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We recently came back from a trip to Pierre’s parents where we were able to also spend time with his brother, sister and their families, and have our two hearts baptized at the same time. Never in my life did I imagine that I’d ever have my children baptized in France, and at the same time to boot. Life is definitely not a book of the same writing, page after page after page. I suppose that’s the reason that parents always want the best for you, because they know that anything is possible and that the only rule in life is that there is a beginning and an end. What happens in between is up to you.

Love and light,

Danielle

slicked hair and karate chops = best friends

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my friend is under that hat!

Noooo, no, no, no Marie Axelle! You cannot do that! (karate chop your brother in the head, multiple times)

Noooo, no, no, no Théo! Stop that! That’s gross! I know that lions do that but you are not a lion my love! (licking your sister’s head and leaving wet patches that make it look as if a dog licked her)

Just a little example of normal behavior in our home… Last night, after saying his prayers, Théo and I started talking about his friends. I started naming them and after I was done I mentioned that he has a lot of friends to which he replied, “Yes, that’s too many. I have to give some of them back.” – - – - “Really? You have to give some of them back? Why?” “Because it’s not good to have too many. I just need two.” And he then proceeded to name the two that he wanted to keep. It’s not the first time that he has mentioned that he cannot have many friends at the same time. Perhaps that helps clarify why he gets so upset if one of his friends says that they don’t want to play with him or that they are no longer his friend. It’s hard to see him cry during those occasions. Children say those kinds of things to each other all the time but seeing your child sad can be heartbreaking. Perhaps that’s what makes children so special, all those innocent emotions wrapped up in little bodies. Their friends are truly their world and their parents are their universe. In any case, Théo has already learned a valuable lesson in life, one or two good friends is all you really need.

Love and light,

Danielle

fast weekend

on the way to the pool in Cassis

letter recognition

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Our weekend was packed with shopping, walking, friends, swimming and cleaning. Seriously, I felt like Friday had just arrived and two seconds later it was Sunday evening. I don’t really like when that happens, but it happens.

We’re starting to get serious with our alphabet around the house and most especially during trips to the potty. No but really, do you know how much time is spent in the toilette with kids? A lot, so I try to put up posters that they can learn something from. The poster above didn’t take me that long to make and yet there was an awful lot of folding and writing and rewriting involved. The folding part was actually quite relaxing though and it beats having to take accurate measurements any day.

Love and light,

Danielle