Christmas time in Paris!

Agathe WOULD NOT pronounce "Christmas" correctly the other day. I think she was serious at first but then was only trying to be funny. "Chreeeessmees?" "No." I felt like this woman:

So Christmas time in Paris is expected to be glorious. I mean, it's pretty I guess.

           

Galaries Lafayette

Pretty decorations by a CHANEL store

Marche de Noel. Christmas Markets that you find everywhere.

Crepe please with hot Nutella.

The lights on the Champs-Elysees

Standing in the middle of the Champs-Elysees

                        

 
Theres lights down many streets like these.



I am currently in England for Christmas so a blog about that will come later. Before I left, I received a lovely box from my previous family I worked for, the Neffs, with so many thoughtful gifts. I was really shocked. One of those gifts were Christmas crackers, and that was very special because my host family has never seen them before. We had a blast opening them! Inside the crackers were whistles with numbers on them and instructions on how to play a song. It was kind of like handbells only with whistles. Loud whistles with small children...
The video shows the whistles and attempting to create songs, and it also shows how much English is used in the house. They are trying to get their kids to learn as much English as possible and throw in the easy English words instead of saying them in French.

Suffering of Children

America's news is always in the stoplight around the world. I've found out that from being here that America is the center of attention for some reason, or maybe France is just obsessed with America. Anyhow, I found out about the Connecticut school shooting through the internet first because Facebook tells all. It affected me pretty hard. I taught a kindergarten classroom for 2 years during my last two years of high school. I was the teacher for a classroom for an hour and a half every other day. I remembered my classroom, the teachers, and the children and could not imagine how my life would be right now if a shooting happend while I was there. I also can't imagine what the families and friends are going through. As president Obama said, after this hes going to "hug [his] children a little tighter". 

It was evening here in France when I heard about the shooting and the family I live with was getting ready for dinner. The oldest was at dance lessons, so the dad went to pick her up. For a second, I thought I was the only one home because it was so quiet and dark, but they were there sitting in the living room. The mom and two of the children were sitting in the dark enjoying the Christmas candles they found in a box. About 8 small candles were lit on the table. I sat down with them and for a few minutes. Nothing was said. I almost felt like this was God's way of showing me that while one part of the world is suffering, another part of the world will experience peace. One of my favorite verses says "be still and know that I am God" -Psalm 46:10. So that's what I did. I didn't mention the shooting to the parents till after dinner, but the whole time during dinner, I could only watch the children as they ate. They were joyful, comfortable, and safe. They were happy children as they scooped their pees on their forks. I just thanked God for the life that they have and that they are healthy and safe. I ask God to protect them as all children should be protected. 

Yesterday was a hard homework day. I got Agathe to start her homework as soon as she got home. It didn't look like she had a lot to do, but it turned out being a bunch. It also harder on her because she's a lefty and it takes her twice as long to write one word. And she had to write everything in cursive. I was having her write down all her spelling words, and there was one word she couldn't spell. It was a hard word, but for some reason, it really stressed her out that she couldn't spell it. Mentally, she started giving up, so I told her we will do the spelling later and we can just do the math. She was already frustrated and wouldn't move on from it, so when I asked her what her math homework was, she wouldn't tell me. She would mumble something, and I couldn't understand her. I think I pushed her over the edge by telling her that, but for real. It's hard enough for me as it is when she only speaks French and adding mumbling and whining means I can't make words out of what she says. She got up and went to the bathroom and just sat on the floor. Her older sister, sweetest girl on the planet, followed her and tried to see what was wrong. I let them talk for a little bit because I thought maybe Agathe would listen to her sister. She wasnt successful. I went in the bathroom and found her with tears under her eyes sitting behind the door. I kinda forcefully picked her up and sat her in my lap. I tried to encourage her with the very limited vocabulary that I have as I held on to her for a few minutes. I think she just needed a hug. 
Long story short, she finished her homework after that and was back to her normal self in 15 minutes. Talk about a quick turn around. American's would say she's bipolar, but the French just say she's a kid. 

So taking care of Agathe is my responsibility. Once before, I had to get her ready for school, and she would not get out of bed. We were almost late for school because she took 45 minutes just to get dressed. I asked her dad about that later on to see if that was normal, ask if theres something I should do, and kinda get him to get on to her for not listening to me. He returned by asking me "what do you think you should do?" So I learned right then that I need to figure that out on my own next time. 
This morning, I had to get her up for school again. Both of the parents were still at home to wake her up but then shortly left. As they were walking out of her bedroom, both of them told me "good luck". Really? Thanks parents. Agathe was already in a bad mood because the clothes her mom set out for her weren't clothes that she liked. This girl hates wearing blue jeans, but that's all that was clean. No worries though. I can handle this now. We made it downstairs for breakfast in record time and Agathe was in a great mood. How did I do it? I took all her stuffed animals and made a puppet show at the end of her bed. She was awake and sitting up after 10 seconds of starting my "spectacle"! Will I have to do that from now on when I wake her up? Probably. Is it worth it to start the day off in a fun way? Absolutely. It put both of us in a good mood. 
When I take her to school, I hold her hand the whole way down the street. We always either talk or sing on the way there, and we give each other two kisses on the cheek and say goodbye. She so sweet.



What I have noticed the past few days is that I really care about these children and this family. I feel like these kids are my little siblings. It happens though when you spend everyday with someone. It's harder getting to know someone with a language barrier, but children don't care.