October 31, 2009 at 1:27 pm (Uncategorized)
Tags: childrens books, classic childrens books, english books for children, kids books
Here are a few of my children’s (and mine) favourite books. Please add to the list and share your best reading adventures:
The Velveteen Rabbit, Harold and the Purple Crayon, The Story of Ferdinand, the Giving Tree, My World, The House in the Night, Zen Shorts, Make Way for Ducklings, How I Learned Geography, Little Bear’s Visit,
October 27, 2009 at 7:18 am (Uncategorized)
Tags: crocodile farm, ferme aux crocodiles
I wasn’t that excited about going to the Crocodile farm, in Pierrelatte, near Montelimar, north of Avignon. I’m not that crazy about those awful animal farms with scruffy animals in tiny compounds looking woefully mistreated and out of their element. However the farm was a good meeting point for friends and the kids were excited about seeing crocodiles, so I agreed to the visit. And I was in for a pleasant surprise. The farm is an 8,000 meter greenhouse with tropical plants, crocodiles, alligators, giant tortoises and other tropical flora and fauna. The animals are well cared for, and in addition, the site is a place of environmental study, so there is an educational angle to the visit, and even a nusery working to protect these and other reptiles.
And of course the telling fact was that the kids loved it. We even went back for a second time around. Be prepared for a two hour visit. There are also 2 playgrounds and picnic areas and cafes for those much needed breaks.
October 13, 2009 at 1:23 pm (Uncategorized)
Tags: baby humour, new mother humour, new mothers
In honor of all those new mothers in our midst, here is something to give you (and for hat matter, all mothers who have been through those crazy first years) a well deserved chuckle.
Enjoy
October 7, 2009 at 12:37 pm (Uncategorized)
For 5+years check out the bilingual (Spanish – French) hour at the ‘Cite du Livre’ in Aix on Wed 28th at 10h30 or 16h. For the younger ones (18 m – 3 years) there is a story hour on the 21st at 16h.
Both sessions are free, but you need to reserve: 04 42 59 08 15
October 4, 2009 at 9:07 am (Uncategorized)
Welcome to sister site http://eatingelephantsinfrance.wordpress.com/ !
This blog is about finding one’s way through France, the French kitchen and life. Being closely involved in the French eating culture, both by hobby and by accompanying my French partner in his restaurant in the south of France, has taught me a lot about cooking and about life. Please join me to enjoy stories of this aventure and tips and tricks that I have learned by being on the inside of French cuisine.
September 24, 2009 at 11:56 am (Uncategorized)
After a very, VERY long summer break we are back to reality. We came back from a lovely stay in the states with a pile of English books and some reflections on what it means to be raising children in a foreign country. How long you have lived in, and how much you love your adopted country, you more than likely want your children to have roots in your own culture. This last holiday I realised that my quest for my children here in France is not just that they become bilingual, but that they become bi-cultural. And this realisation brought home the work and dedication that this is going to entail; extended stays in the US, a concerted effort to transmit culture that will go unnoticed here in France and involving US friends and family to help keep my children with one leg in each culture. There will more than likely be hiccups, adjustments and difficulties along the way, but that is wha a community such as this is about; support for this dedicated effort to enrich our children’s lives with the lucky opportunity of being truly ‘global citizens’.
Happy Autumn!
June 24, 2009 at 11:29 am (Uncategorized)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rePPufPeCVw
Empower your children by letting them help with the washing up…. 
June 18, 2009 at 10:29 am (Uncategorized)
Tags: english speaking mums, expat mums, madonna, mums in france, wheels on the bus
For those of you that can’t take another round of Wheels on the Bus, check this version. Ray of Light meets Partridge Family Bus.
June 17, 2009 at 6:45 pm (Uncategorized)
Tags: english speaking mums, expat mums, expats in france, mums in france
If you are new to Mums and Meres then Welcome! We are a community of English speaking mothers in France (and French mothers with an interest in English culture). This is a blog space for questions, ideas, exchange, playdate organisation and generally any of the trillions of things that you need as a mum in France (although we can’t help your kids sleep through the night, sorry)
If you are a Mums and Meres regular then check out the new posts in Just for laughs, Mama I’m bored, Tips and Tricks, Books and music and Local information.
And most of all enjoy these lazy, hazy summer days!
June 11, 2009 at 6:44 am (Uncategorized)
Congratulations to Heidi and welcome baby Lola!
