Christmas with Family, Part 1

Although the beginning of the month was a little rough, it ended really nicely. I received the best Christmas gift ever...Preston's Aunt Connie and my parents, Lee and Freda, visited for Christmas break! We were so excited to have family here with us this year.

The first one to arrive was Auntie Connie. We drove to Paris to pick her up and stayed 1 night so that she could see the sights. We have become experts in touring Paris in 1 day. We even know the metro stops by heart to most of sights. Although this is our 5th trip (can you believe it!) to Paris, there is something about that city that I just love. I really don't mind visiting often. With so many things to do and see in Paris, on each trip we try to experience something new, but there is always something that we want to do the next time we go back.

Visiting during Christmas time was a different experience for us. Although it was cold and sometimes raining, the christmas lights and activities were very festive. We also enjoyed staying in the Rue Cler area of Paris and discovering good and reasonably priced cafes near the Eiffel Tower. Auntie C had a great time seeing all of the places and things that she had read about. One of the new sites for us was the Versailles. It was our 1st time there and it did not disappoint. Yes the decor was over the top and the palace was immense, but what would you expect to find in the house that was built for the King and Queen who moved out of the Louvre!

After 2 days in Paris, it was time to return home to Clermont. My parents were flying into Clermont and we had to prepare for Christmas day at home with family.

December 2009...Oh what a month!

December started off with a bang...a bang of sick bugs! During the first 2 weeks of the month, all of us, except for Maya, had either a stomach flu or THE flu or both! It started with John having a fever at the Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday. By Monday I was in Urgent care with him because he was dehydrated. Thank God I am improving in my french because although our doctor speaks english, no one did at the hospital. Preston was out of town so I had to take John alone. Fortunately he didn't have to stay overnight.

Tuesday, I was feeling fine except for a dry cough, but by Wednesday morning, I could not get out of bed! I went to the doctor and got Tamiflu prescriptions for everyone, but I had to send Daniele to the pharmacy. I had never felt so bad in my life and I had no energy left. Daniele also picked up masks and hand sanitizer and John and I were on quarantine. Preston was still out of town.

Thursday was Lauren's birthday and Maya and Daniele fixed breakfast in bed for Lauren. I was still to sick to move. Although quarantine was still in effect, by noon, both Daniele and Lauren were home with the flu. Maya was the last one standing and Preston wouldn't be home for another day. My friend Bethany made dinner and sent it over. I cancelled Lauren's birthday party that was scheduled for Saturday and for the rest of the weekend, Maya and Preston took care of the rest of us.

I was glad that Preston was finally home, but I was hoping that he would avoid the bug. We were able to have Lauren's party around lunch time, but by 4 pm, Preston couldn't keep any food down. Unfortunately, he was sick with a stomach flu. Maya is still the only one that has not gotten ill!

Needless to say, I have been really behind on everything...including writing the blog. So I will try to catch you up on a few of the highlights of December!

American Cookie swap Party...

My 1st ever cookie swap and it happens in France! This is not a french tradition, but it was fun exchanging recipes and hanging out with friends.

French Class Christmas Party...

I am taking a french class at the local university and most of my classmates are college aged students from China. I am the only American in my class and there is another Michelin wife from Japan in the class as well. So when we were asked to bring in goodies for the christmas party, most of them were asian treats that I had never tasted before. Some were good and some were not so good. We played games in french, but the best part was watching my french teacher eat the asian food. She didn't like anything!

Christmas Programs...

Although I had missed half of the practices, I was feeling better in time for the Christmas program at church. We put together a choir to sing several songs during the lessons and carols program. I had a lot of fun leading a song with Paula. John and Lauren also sang with the childrens choir.

The school also had a program and John and Lauren participated in that one as well. The cutest song was an Australian song were Santa uses 6 white boomers (male kangeroos) instead of reindeer. Since it is summer in December in Australia, it is too hot for the reindeer. Never really thought about it until they sang the song.

Lauren's Birthday Party...

We eventually had the party 1 week later and it was a great success! Lauren and one of her friends got their ears pierced together the night before and the following day for lunch she had other friends over to make crafts and hangout.

Christmas Circus...

How does a clown learn to fly like the angels he sees in the sky? Is it by juggling for the angels? NO! Is it by making wings out of cardboard? NO! According to this French-Brazilian performance, he must die! And what better way to go than by an angel stabbing you?! This was the story line and conclusion to the christmas spectacle we saw. As you can see in the video below, the performance was beautiful, but the story did not quite get me into the christmas spirit.

Putting up the Christmas tree...

This year I decided to buy an artificial tree after last year's disaster. Although it was shorter than I wanted it to be, it was already on sale for half price 4 weeks before christmas! So I paid 25 euros for it. Not bad! And since I don't have that many decorations here, a shorter tree was perfect. Decorating the house for christmas was quick and easy. Printing and sending out Christmas cards was not and for the 2nd year in a row, I have not sent out Christmas cards. I have got to do better next year!

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Ours was wonderful because of 3 special visitors. I will share all of the details of our Christmas break soon.