We arrived safely Thursday night (though about an hour later than planned). Geo did so well on the trip-- he loves flying. Taking off, he laughs out loud. He played, read, watched some cartoons and even ate the chicken curry they served for dinner. He was a little confused about the trip-- he saw it was getting dark outside the plane and told me worriedly, "We're not going to have time to play with Taita and Jiddo!". When we were getting him ready for bed, he started to cry, because despite all my explanations, he didn't get that we would be sleeping at Taita and Jiddo's house. But since everyone who has come to visit has brought presents, he's adapted quite quickly!
His other big news is that Jiddo bought him his first big boy bicycle! It's a gorgeous red and blue bike with training wheels. He rode downstairs in the parking lot, then yesterday evening we took him to the beautifully restored downtown, which is pedestrian only, and where many other children were out riding bicycles, scooters, tricycles and other vehicules.
Tomorrow we head to C's village in the mountains above Saida. It should be cooler and less humid, and Geo will be able to play outside with C's cousin's sons, who are a bit older. We'll stay for three or four days, then come back to Beirut for the weekend.
I'll try to post pictures next time-- the internet connection is a bit slow here.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
My grandmother had a partial hip replacement yesterday, and by all accounts it went very well. She's a fighter for sure.
We still don't know what all this means for future travel plans, but I'm relieved they did the operation and that she has a chance of walking again.
Tomorrow is our big day, leaving for Beirut. We'll try to keep everyone updated from there.
We still don't know what all this means for future travel plans, but I'm relieved they did the operation and that she has a chance of walking again.
Tomorrow is our big day, leaving for Beirut. We'll try to keep everyone updated from there.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
So I had a nice long post written out yesterday, summarizing our weekend (quiet but fun), and then internet went all wonky and I lost the post. Sadly, any desire to rewrite it also evaporated.
We're fine, we're preparing for our trip (leaving Thursday) and basically ok. But I got very bad news about my grandmother this morning. I'm praying that she's going to be alright. But I have a feeling this will change our summer plans significantly. At 98, you just don't bounce back from a fractured hip. I'm so sad. Sad for my beloved grandmother, for my mother, for my aunts. I wish I was there to help them. It's just rotten all around.
If you are the praying type, please pray for my grandmother.
We're fine, we're preparing for our trip (leaving Thursday) and basically ok. But I got very bad news about my grandmother this morning. I'm praying that she's going to be alright. But I have a feeling this will change our summer plans significantly. At 98, you just don't bounce back from a fractured hip. I'm so sad. Sad for my beloved grandmother, for my mother, for my aunts. I wish I was there to help them. It's just rotten all around.
If you are the praying type, please pray for my grandmother.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Photo Edition
I haven't posted many photos recently-- we haven't taken many.
But here are a few for your viewing pleasure.
Geo's new room:
Geo in his new bed (well, new to him-- it was mine when I was a child!):
Sweaty Geo after playing in the park on Sunday:
And the last two-- this next one is Geo last night, pre-haircut:
And this morning, post-haircut (C. did a really good job!):
Enjoy!
But here are a few for your viewing pleasure.
Geo's new room:
Geo in his new bed (well, new to him-- it was mine when I was a child!):
Sweaty Geo after playing in the park on Sunday:
And the last two-- this next one is Geo last night, pre-haircut:
And this morning, post-haircut (C. did a really good job!):
Enjoy!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Summertime
Summer hit Paris like a ton of bricks on Saturday.
You'll remember my complaints about the rain last week. From Sunday to Wednesday, without stopping, it rained.
Finally, Thursday and Friday were cool but relatively dry. Then came Saturday. It was sunny and hot and every single person living in the greater metropolitan area was at the Luxembourg Gardens, where Geo, C and I met the Riveras, in town for a few days while on a European jaunt.
But that comes later. First I have to talk about Saturday morning, which was also busy and eventful. We had a meeting at the little public school to see the school, meet the teachers and get a sense of the place. I was hoping this would help us decide where we are sending Geo in the fall. And it did. The school is small, and sweet and the teachers and the director seem very interested in making it a harmonious place for the children and the parents. Geo loved the playground and the classroom that was stuffed full of toys, puzzles, games, art supplies, and yes, even books! I think he'll be very happy there and feel really peaceful about our decision.
Then, as there was a little fair going on downtown in our village, we moseyed over to check it out. Geo bumped into one of his little friends and they had a lot of fun feeding the goats and watching the chickens. Finally, it was lunchtime, and naptime.
Then we went into Paris to meet the Riveras. I have to say, the Riveras are so inspiring. Linda is in her seventies and Julius is in his nineties and they run around Paris using buses and taking the metro and are actually today renting a car and driving themselves to the Loire Valley and then to Brittany. I hope to be that courageous by the time I'm forty, and traveling as much when I'm their age!
So we had a nice afternoon sitting in the shade (well, Geo and C went to the big playground) and then to Loubnane (that's right, the restaurant where we had our wedding reception) for dinner. On our way there we ran into Monseigneur Antiba, the head of our church. Geo couldn't figure out who he was-- he normally sees Monseigneur in his Sunday robes, I guess!
Sunday was another big day. We met Nancy, Alain, Robin and Nina, as well as many of their friends, in the Parc Montsouris for a picnic. It was probably 90 degrees and humid, and Geo played almost non-stop with the soccer balls, the tennis rackets and anything else he could get his hands on for three straight hours. We basically had to sit on him to get him to drink wanter / eat a sandwich / agree to go to the bathroom.
After that, we met Ziad and Marc near Censier Daubenton, as Marc's cousin or nephew (I can never remember which) was participating in a clown show. That's right, he'd been taking a theater class all year about clowns, and the class put together an end-of-the-year show. It turned out that the show wasn't until 5pm, so while we waited, we walked to the Jardin des Plantes, where Geo had five rides on the animal merry-go-round, until he almost fell asleep on top of the lion and we had to take him off.
Finally it was time for the clowns. Ok, what can I say? These are student clowns. The room was hot, and packed with sweaty, stinky people (and I very much include myself in that number!). We stayed for 1.5 hours, saw Marc's cousin/nephew perform, then decided it was time to get home.
Actually, the clown thing got me thinking. I've never seen many clowns or clown shows. What are we really laughing at, here? Clowns act like people who are mentally ill, or addicted to drugs and/or alcohol or something, and laughing at them is kind of disturbing.
We made it home, although Geo slept most of the way there, even ate dinner and did the dishes and got the poor tired puppy in bed before 9:30. He's still asleep now, and it's 9am. I guess we really did wear him out! Oh, and it's raining this morning. Of course.
You'll remember my complaints about the rain last week. From Sunday to Wednesday, without stopping, it rained.
Finally, Thursday and Friday were cool but relatively dry. Then came Saturday. It was sunny and hot and every single person living in the greater metropolitan area was at the Luxembourg Gardens, where Geo, C and I met the Riveras, in town for a few days while on a European jaunt.
But that comes later. First I have to talk about Saturday morning, which was also busy and eventful. We had a meeting at the little public school to see the school, meet the teachers and get a sense of the place. I was hoping this would help us decide where we are sending Geo in the fall. And it did. The school is small, and sweet and the teachers and the director seem very interested in making it a harmonious place for the children and the parents. Geo loved the playground and the classroom that was stuffed full of toys, puzzles, games, art supplies, and yes, even books! I think he'll be very happy there and feel really peaceful about our decision.
Then, as there was a little fair going on downtown in our village, we moseyed over to check it out. Geo bumped into one of his little friends and they had a lot of fun feeding the goats and watching the chickens. Finally, it was lunchtime, and naptime.
Then we went into Paris to meet the Riveras. I have to say, the Riveras are so inspiring. Linda is in her seventies and Julius is in his nineties and they run around Paris using buses and taking the metro and are actually today renting a car and driving themselves to the Loire Valley and then to Brittany. I hope to be that courageous by the time I'm forty, and traveling as much when I'm their age!
So we had a nice afternoon sitting in the shade (well, Geo and C went to the big playground) and then to Loubnane (that's right, the restaurant where we had our wedding reception) for dinner. On our way there we ran into Monseigneur Antiba, the head of our church. Geo couldn't figure out who he was-- he normally sees Monseigneur in his Sunday robes, I guess!
Sunday was another big day. We met Nancy, Alain, Robin and Nina, as well as many of their friends, in the Parc Montsouris for a picnic. It was probably 90 degrees and humid, and Geo played almost non-stop with the soccer balls, the tennis rackets and anything else he could get his hands on for three straight hours. We basically had to sit on him to get him to drink wanter / eat a sandwich / agree to go to the bathroom.
After that, we met Ziad and Marc near Censier Daubenton, as Marc's cousin or nephew (I can never remember which) was participating in a clown show. That's right, he'd been taking a theater class all year about clowns, and the class put together an end-of-the-year show. It turned out that the show wasn't until 5pm, so while we waited, we walked to the Jardin des Plantes, where Geo had five rides on the animal merry-go-round, until he almost fell asleep on top of the lion and we had to take him off.
Finally it was time for the clowns. Ok, what can I say? These are student clowns. The room was hot, and packed with sweaty, stinky people (and I very much include myself in that number!). We stayed for 1.5 hours, saw Marc's cousin/nephew perform, then decided it was time to get home.
Actually, the clown thing got me thinking. I've never seen many clowns or clown shows. What are we really laughing at, here? Clowns act like people who are mentally ill, or addicted to drugs and/or alcohol or something, and laughing at them is kind of disturbing.
We made it home, although Geo slept most of the way there, even ate dinner and did the dishes and got the poor tired puppy in bed before 9:30. He's still asleep now, and it's 9am. I guess we really did wear him out! Oh, and it's raining this morning. Of course.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Hoooooo boy, we are so sick of the rain here.
It started Sunday afternoon, which was fine-- we were all tired and ok with hanging out at home.
But it hasn't stopped raining since then.
Geo and I had a half an hour window yesterday, between 6-6:30pm, when we were able to go outside to the garden in front of our apartment and kick the ball around and play in the sandbox. Then two things happened: it started to rain again, and we watched a neighbor's cat go into the sandbox, squat over one of the holes Geo had dug, and poop.
That kinda killed the sandbox for me.
We also made some oatmeal cookies that turned out super weird-- they basically didn't cook on the bottom. The tops look nice, but the bottoms just didn't hold together, so if you touch them they crumble. I'm still getting used to using a 30-year-old electric stove....
In other news, Geo is now basically potty-trained. I say basically, because we haven't tried nights without diapers yet. But he hasn't had an accident since last week, even during our day in Paris. The nice thing about having a little boy in France is that it's much easier to help them pee when, inevitably, they need to go and there is no bathroom in sight. (There's pretty much never a public bathroom in sight in France.) I'm pleased that it was such a relaxed and easy transition for both of us.
The really funny thing about parenting (or parenting your first child) is that you get so caught up in whatever is happening that it's hard to imagine it NOT happening. There were many moments in the early days when I truly thought Geo would never a) sleep through the night, b) eat real food, c) stop breastfeeding, d) be potty-trained.
Now he has managed all those things and will even be heading off to school in the fall. It goes so fast!
It started Sunday afternoon, which was fine-- we were all tired and ok with hanging out at home.
But it hasn't stopped raining since then.
Geo and I had a half an hour window yesterday, between 6-6:30pm, when we were able to go outside to the garden in front of our apartment and kick the ball around and play in the sandbox. Then two things happened: it started to rain again, and we watched a neighbor's cat go into the sandbox, squat over one of the holes Geo had dug, and poop.
That kinda killed the sandbox for me.
We also made some oatmeal cookies that turned out super weird-- they basically didn't cook on the bottom. The tops look nice, but the bottoms just didn't hold together, so if you touch them they crumble. I'm still getting used to using a 30-year-old electric stove....
In other news, Geo is now basically potty-trained. I say basically, because we haven't tried nights without diapers yet. But he hasn't had an accident since last week, even during our day in Paris. The nice thing about having a little boy in France is that it's much easier to help them pee when, inevitably, they need to go and there is no bathroom in sight. (There's pretty much never a public bathroom in sight in France.) I'm pleased that it was such a relaxed and easy transition for both of us.
The really funny thing about parenting (or parenting your first child) is that you get so caught up in whatever is happening that it's hard to imagine it NOT happening. There were many moments in the early days when I truly thought Geo would never a) sleep through the night, b) eat real food, c) stop breastfeeding, d) be potty-trained.
Now he has managed all those things and will even be heading off to school in the fall. It goes so fast!
Monday, June 8, 2009
It's been a quiet week in Verrieres-le-Buisson, my hometown...
Apologies to Garrison Keillor.
But it's true, and it sums everything up perfectly.
Last week was quiet but fine, with lots of nice weather and playdates with THREE different children for Geo. Ahhh, progress!
We had a nice, uneventful weekend. Saturday we hung out in the morning and got a few small things done around the house. In the afternoon some friends came over with their 20 month-old son. Despite the age difference, the boys had fun playing together. Ziad also came by and we had a nice walk to the Coulee Verte before it was time to head home for dinner.
Sunday C. was very industrious and hung pictures. It really changes things to have some stuff on the walls. There's a lot more to do, but it's a great start. We also finally got to set up the digital frame that Michael and Julie gave us over a year ago. After that we went to church, then hit the big marche at Bastille, where we stocked up on Lebanese bread, beans and olives, and where we bought lunch, which we ate in a play area of the park near Ziad's house. Unfortunately Ziad wasn't home, but Geo had a blast on the play equipment. The playgrounds here are different-- the parks in Paris in particular have really nice play equipment, but most of it is technically meant for older children. Does that stop our physically fearless son? Ha. No. When my heart gives out, y'all know who to blame it on-- the French playground designers.
After all the heart-stopping fun, we headed home and hung out some more. Got pizzas for dinner from the Italian place up the street. Actually, I think they make the best pizzas I've had in France. And George impressed us mightily by eating the whole dang adult-sized pizza we'd bought for him. He loves food, what can I say? He comes by it honestly!
That about sums up our weekend.
In other news, what I'm loving about having a very verbal three-year-old is the very interesting conversations he and I have. Really, he asks me things that have me wondering where on earth he got these ideas.
For example, last Thursday during lunch, he asked me if I had ever worn a "fancy dress, like a princess" and if I had every "danced like a princess". I have NO idea where on earth this question came from, but I said, yes, I had worn fancy dresses, and if he wanted I would show him pictures.
I promptly forgot, and we went on with our day. Late that afternoon, after nap and before the park he said, "Hey, you forgot to show me the pictures of you like a princess!" I should mention that before I showed him the pictures he composed a "princess song" that he played on his guitar, in my honor. Anyway, I showed him our wedding pictures, and pictures of when I was a bridesmaid for a wedding in Lebanon. He was totally unimpressed. "I don't like those pictures, mama." Ah well. My career as a princess was short-lived, but fun while it lasted.
We haven't taken many pictures recently. I'll try to get some good shots this week and post them soon.
But it's true, and it sums everything up perfectly.
Last week was quiet but fine, with lots of nice weather and playdates with THREE different children for Geo. Ahhh, progress!
We had a nice, uneventful weekend. Saturday we hung out in the morning and got a few small things done around the house. In the afternoon some friends came over with their 20 month-old son. Despite the age difference, the boys had fun playing together. Ziad also came by and we had a nice walk to the Coulee Verte before it was time to head home for dinner.
Sunday C. was very industrious and hung pictures. It really changes things to have some stuff on the walls. There's a lot more to do, but it's a great start. We also finally got to set up the digital frame that Michael and Julie gave us over a year ago. After that we went to church, then hit the big marche at Bastille, where we stocked up on Lebanese bread, beans and olives, and where we bought lunch, which we ate in a play area of the park near Ziad's house. Unfortunately Ziad wasn't home, but Geo had a blast on the play equipment. The playgrounds here are different-- the parks in Paris in particular have really nice play equipment, but most of it is technically meant for older children. Does that stop our physically fearless son? Ha. No. When my heart gives out, y'all know who to blame it on-- the French playground designers.
After all the heart-stopping fun, we headed home and hung out some more. Got pizzas for dinner from the Italian place up the street. Actually, I think they make the best pizzas I've had in France. And George impressed us mightily by eating the whole dang adult-sized pizza we'd bought for him. He loves food, what can I say? He comes by it honestly!
That about sums up our weekend.
In other news, what I'm loving about having a very verbal three-year-old is the very interesting conversations he and I have. Really, he asks me things that have me wondering where on earth he got these ideas.
For example, last Thursday during lunch, he asked me if I had ever worn a "fancy dress, like a princess" and if I had every "danced like a princess". I have NO idea where on earth this question came from, but I said, yes, I had worn fancy dresses, and if he wanted I would show him pictures.
I promptly forgot, and we went on with our day. Late that afternoon, after nap and before the park he said, "Hey, you forgot to show me the pictures of you like a princess!" I should mention that before I showed him the pictures he composed a "princess song" that he played on his guitar, in my honor. Anyway, I showed him our wedding pictures, and pictures of when I was a bridesmaid for a wedding in Lebanon. He was totally unimpressed. "I don't like those pictures, mama." Ah well. My career as a princess was short-lived, but fun while it lasted.
We haven't taken many pictures recently. I'll try to get some good shots this week and post them soon.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Summer time means..... potty training!
So the weather is finally acting summerish! Yay for sunshine and temperatures above 65 degrees! It looks like the great potty-training adventure can really begin.
Geo's actually got the poop part down just fine. It's the peeing that's problematic. We started again working on the peeing on Saturday. He had three accidents. Sunday we tried in the morning, and he had two accidents.
Yesterday we were down to one accident in the morning. Yippee! I would love it if he was dry in the daytime before we leave on our travels at the end of June.
Ah, yes, our travels! We're heading to Lebanon for the first time since 2005 (!!!) for 2.5 weeks, starting late June. Then, the day after we get back, my parents and aunt are arriving for a visit! Followed the next day by my sister. So it's going to be a very, very fun month of June/July. We have plans with my parents to go visit Avignon and the Arles region-- we can't wait!
In any case, having a fun and busy summer will help us get through this rough spot. Geo and I in particular are still feeling pretty isolated/lonely here. Everything pretty much shuts down over the summer, so having trips and visitors to keep us busy will help tremendously until school starts in the fall.
Speaking of school we are still going back and forth on the Waldorf-Steiner school versus French public school. I'm planning to call the public school today to ask for some information, and hopefully schedule a visit. There's a lot of things about Waldorf-Steiner that I really dislike, and a lot of things about French public that I fear! So we haven't made any progress at all on that choice...
A very rambly post, but I've only had one cup of coffee this morning...!
Geo's actually got the poop part down just fine. It's the peeing that's problematic. We started again working on the peeing on Saturday. He had three accidents. Sunday we tried in the morning, and he had two accidents.
Yesterday we were down to one accident in the morning. Yippee! I would love it if he was dry in the daytime before we leave on our travels at the end of June.
Ah, yes, our travels! We're heading to Lebanon for the first time since 2005 (!!!) for 2.5 weeks, starting late June. Then, the day after we get back, my parents and aunt are arriving for a visit! Followed the next day by my sister. So it's going to be a very, very fun month of June/July. We have plans with my parents to go visit Avignon and the Arles region-- we can't wait!
In any case, having a fun and busy summer will help us get through this rough spot. Geo and I in particular are still feeling pretty isolated/lonely here. Everything pretty much shuts down over the summer, so having trips and visitors to keep us busy will help tremendously until school starts in the fall.
Speaking of school we are still going back and forth on the Waldorf-Steiner school versus French public school. I'm planning to call the public school today to ask for some information, and hopefully schedule a visit. There's a lot of things about Waldorf-Steiner that I really dislike, and a lot of things about French public that I fear! So we haven't made any progress at all on that choice...
A very rambly post, but I've only had one cup of coffee this morning...!
Monday, June 1, 2009
We had a very nice weekend. Perfect weather, friends, fun....
Saturday we spent the morning tidying up the apartment-- getting rid of the leftover parquet pieces from the floor in Geo's room, getting rid of the last pieces of cardboard, etc. In the afternoon, Nancy, Alain, Robin and Nina came over for tea. So lovely to see them! We took them to our neighborhood park (which, for lack of mowing, is looking a little jungle-ish). The kids had a blast and so did the adults!
Sunday was another gorgeous day; we took a picnic to the Coulee Verte, the large park nearby, and played and played and picnicked. Then home for a nap, and in the late afternoon we headed over to the home of our Anglo-Italian friends for a delicious dinner.
Today is another holiday, sort of. Today used to be a national holiday. Then the law changed, and everyone was allowed to decide for themselves whether or not they took the day off. This means that some schools are closed, some are not. Some companies are closed, some are not. C's company isn't closed, so he's off at work.
I'm posting a ridiculously cute video of Geo singing to his baby, Pierrot. The song starts as a lullaby and ends as more of a marching band tune... Check it out.
Well, off to bake bread, catch up on laundry and clean house!
Saturday we spent the morning tidying up the apartment-- getting rid of the leftover parquet pieces from the floor in Geo's room, getting rid of the last pieces of cardboard, etc. In the afternoon, Nancy, Alain, Robin and Nina came over for tea. So lovely to see them! We took them to our neighborhood park (which, for lack of mowing, is looking a little jungle-ish). The kids had a blast and so did the adults!
Sunday was another gorgeous day; we took a picnic to the Coulee Verte, the large park nearby, and played and played and picnicked. Then home for a nap, and in the late afternoon we headed over to the home of our Anglo-Italian friends for a delicious dinner.
Today is another holiday, sort of. Today used to be a national holiday. Then the law changed, and everyone was allowed to decide for themselves whether or not they took the day off. This means that some schools are closed, some are not. Some companies are closed, some are not. C's company isn't closed, so he's off at work.
I'm posting a ridiculously cute video of Geo singing to his baby, Pierrot. The song starts as a lullaby and ends as more of a marching band tune... Check it out.
Well, off to bake bread, catch up on laundry and clean house!
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