Apart from my husband’s suitcase (containing all of his clothing & gifts we purchased for friends and family), not boarding the plane with us in Austin, waiting 7 days for its delivery, our first week in Angers has been wonderful!!
Monday, May 27th
We flew through London on British Airways. In the past, we’ve always flown through Paris (CDG). My in-laws would meet us at the airport and help us load the kids on a train to Angers.
When Marc & Keira were younger, this approach of meeting in Paris CDG was cardinal to our sanity and likelihood of arriving in Angers with everything and everyone. 🙂 I’m kidding. Maybe.
Now with our kiddos out of strollers, zero diaper bags, and no unnecessary extra baggage, we decided to save some money and take the scenic route!
After customs, we took the Heathrow Express to the Kings Cross St Pancras station. At St. Pancras (not Pancreas, hehe), we went through customs again to take the Eurostar through the English Channel to France.
Instead of taking the train to Paris, we stopped in Lille, changed trains and caught our new train to Angers. It was all too easy and I have a feeling we may take this itinerary from Austin to Angers again.
We landed in London at 9:45AM, and arrived at Xavi’s parents house at 9:15PM. Not bad, huh?
It’s been 18 months since myself and the kids have seen our French family, apart from chats via Skype. That’s much too long to keep our kids from enjoying their grandparents and vise versa at this sweet age of Marc, 8 and Keira, 5.
Our first day, Tuesday, is actually a blur.
We may have visited an art store for some drawing paper.
Wednesday, after breakfast, we “fais des courses au marché”.
Over the years, I’ve observed (and tasted) the tremendous pride my in-laws take in their food. I feel like this is very much part of their culture.
They buy groceries from farmers’ markets, and expert food suppliers. Like, the cheese maker, the butcher, the bread maker, etc.
I hope our kids pick up on that custom of going to the experts directly for the foods they enjoy. Quality and freshness over what’s more or less convenient.
My father-in-law walked into the kitchen the other night and asked my mother-in-law, “what’s that odor?” My mother-in-law replied, “The cheese.” I thought to myself, “oh good, I’m not the only one who thinks it stinks in here!” Hahaha!
These diaries are prefect for their age. It makes them think about their day in a different light.
It asks them for their favorite part of the day, what they are grateful for and lessons learned — direct and simple. One day Keira said she was grateful for strawberries. Each day, she thinks of something different she is grateful for.
On Marco’s first day, I think he wrote that he learned how to clean his plate with a piece of baguette. I love that! His Papy Claude taught him that. <3
Keira did some writing in the beginning, and on this particular page, I was impatient and had her dictate her entry to me.
We discuss the purpose of the affirmation part each new journal entry, but I’m not sure she totally gets it, and I don’t think it really matters either. I said, “Okay, today’s affirmation. You could say I am awake, I am strong..”.
Keira said, “Okay, I got this. ‘I am going to have a great day!'” That works!
Thursday morning after breakfast: Drawing & Painting
I couldn’t get enough of the many displays of produce at the farmers’ market! I brought my own watercolors and brushes in a small tupperware in our suitcase. The drawing paper was purchased earlier in the week.
Thursday evening, we took a walk in the forest near my in-laws’ home and walked to a pond to feed the geese & ducks. In a bag were stale pieces of baguettes my in-laws had been collecting for kiddos when we arrived.
Friday, May 31st
I love watching the way Xavi’s parents interact with Marc & Keira even though there is a language barrier. I am hopeful that by the end of our 8 weeks here, the kids will be able to understand their grandparents (and the rest of their french family too).
Anyway, Friday we took another walk through the forest and visited our geese and duck friends without any bread. They came to see us too and didn’t seem to disappointed that we were empty handed.
I will be painting these little geese soon!
These trees immediately reminded me of the Poplår Trees Camille Pissarro and Claude Monet used to paint. They had such spectacular inspiration all around them!
Friday after lunch, Xavi’s mom and I took the kids to Parc de la Garenne. They LOVED this park and ask daily when we are going to go back. Funny thing is, the park is known for the animals and great walking trails, and my kids know it for the go-karts, manège and playing hide ‘n seek with Mommy.
Saturday, June 1st
Each day has been so special in its own way.
Between clinging our glasses together with the kiddos during the start of l’apéritif, or accidentally throwing frisbees over the fence into the neighbors yard (discovering which neighbors are understanding and which are irritated), each day has been so special.
Or preparing the food together at the kitchen table as seen in the 3 photos below.
Saturday around 1pm, our dear friends who live in Rennes came over to spend the day with us. The weather had been so beautiful, we decided to sit outside. Saturday’s lunch was at my in-laws house, and Saturday evening, we went to their family’s home for dinner.
I wasn’t used to the pace of the French meal when I first started dating my now husband, Xavi. Some of the meals would last for 5-6 hours (sometimes longer), and if I drank all the wine served, I was too tipsy to stand.
I’ve grown to love the slower pace and length of the French meals, whether we’re celebrating with a 5-course meal going into the wee hours of morning, or simply having a relaxed 3-course meal together.
I’ve also learned to kindly say “Non, merci.” when I’ve had enough wine!
Voilà! Pictures from our lunch avec nos amis:
Sunday, June 2nd
Apart from being able to talk to me & Xavier in English, I aim to keep our kids completely immersed in the French language when we come visit.
At this age, their brains are like sponges; taking in new information unconsciously. All conversations are usually en français, and I have a rule that TV watching must be “toute en Francais!” (all in French)
But at times, I feel like I’m floundering for the correct verb tense, my head swirling; overkill sinks in, and I need an English break.
My much needed break arrived when my husband’s cousin, his wife and their kiddos stopped by on their way home from the coast. It was such a sweet reunion — for catching up after such a long time & having mom-talk in English with his amazing wife, Charlotte! Her English is so good!
Before sunset, we walked the downtown streets of Angers. Sunset is at 10pm.
I don’t think my kids have gone to sleep before 11:30PM a single night this first week.
Et voilà! Our first week en France était géniale!
Gros bisous,
Kristin et toute la famille
