School

This afternoon the boys went to a session at a Bilingual school that I had checked out before we came to Paris.  The boys were very excited about going, though none of us were sure exactly what to expect.  The school is an English immersion school, so the teachers were native speakers from England, but also speak French.  I was a little disappointed at first because when I had spoken on the phone with the school, they said that the teachers speak in French, but I  think they meant that they speak French.  I guess “speak in French” and “speak French” don’t seem like that big of a difference when you are not a native English speaker…  The staff ending up being very accommodating and let Owen speak French to them during the session (hm, or is that “speak in French…?)  Also, the French director gave a 1/2 hour of tutoring to the boys as well.   It was a perfect mix, and both boys ran up to me after “class” exclaiming how much fun they had and begging to go back again.

This is Jack’s fire breathing dragon art-work and his French notebook that they sent home with him.

Owen’s notebook had extra subjects and homework!

The French director came up to me afterwards to chat.  She didn’t really speak English, but her points came across.  She wanted to compliment Owen on his pronunciation and speaking abilities.  She also chided me on the fact that I did not send Jack with a coat on such a day.  She absolutely insisted that I take a sweatshirt home with him!  I wore short sleeves all day and wasn’t cold, but it was cold for a French summer, I guess….

After school we decided to head to the Champs Elysees.  The roadway that we walked on had a beautiful rose-garden median…

Complete with parks (but no bathrooms…) 

The area we were in was on the outskirts of the city and full of local  French children (rather than tourists like Luxembourg Gardens.)  Owen quickly asked a boy to play and the three boys had a great time with their pirate game. After the first boy left, Owen tried to join a game of tag with another group of children his age.  They swiftly informed him that he was not going to play with them. Owen was stunned, and sad.  I felt both feelings too (my poor Owen) but then realized - whatever city - kids are kids - and it is hard to navigate social situations in your native language, much less in another one.  So Mamau and I encouraged him to find someone else that felt friendlier that day.  And he managed to find another boy to play with for a bit before we moved on.

And, move on we did!  To yummy cheese and cured meats.  We bought some for later, and moved on again.

This time to the Arc de Triomphe.  No one could fathom climbing another 284 steps today, so we just admired the outside.

Then we admired Mercedes Benz.

(this car had its own guard to make sure you don’t touch it.  My boys did well, but Mr. red shirt below got yelled at…)

And then we happened upon a movie theatre playing Ace Age 4.  So we treated ourselves to this new kind of “museum pass” that involves no walking or stairs.

Tomorrow we head for the beach!