Last Days with Charpentier's

Our week with our friends the Charpentiers was so fun and relaxing, just what we needed after almost 3 weeks of touring London and Paris. We had a week of new firsts for both families. It was fun sitting at meals comparing traditions and funny sayings each country uses. For example, we use "it is raining cats and dogs" and they use what translates to "it is raining like when a cow pees". Many conversations around the table were in French to then the highlights being translated for us. By the end of the week were were able to pick up more and more words. There were many times that their words would make us laugh because while innocent in French, they mean something else back home. Nothing made me giggle more than being ask if I was going to douche today. Then I remembered that in French, to douche simply means to shower. We also learned more French slang. When with friends, you say "S'il tu plait" instead of "S'il vous plait" and they shorten it as we would to from "Thank you" to "Thanks" by just saying "Stuplait".

The food here is amazing and Judith is a fantastic cook. Every meal is gourmet and was superior to any restaurant back home. They use all local meats, fruits, vegetables, breads, and cheeses. We got to experience our first shredded canard "duck" and mashed potatoes which was similar to a shepherds pie but so delicious. We also had our first roasted rabbit, we let Gilles have his favorite part..the head. It was good and tasted like a mixture of chicken and lamb.

We took some opportunities to make them dinner as well. We made chicken salad and fresh onion rings. They have never had onion rings before and really liked them. Good thing I made a huge batch. I also made pulled pork which turned out really well too.

On Wednesday the sun came out and the temperature went from 60 degrees to 85 degrees. The kids don't have school on Wednesdays so I took Ally, Gaby, and Armand swimming at an indoor pool. Eric decided not to join us since France has a rule about swimming attire. At a swimming pool you are not allowed to wear swimming trunks just Speedo style spanks for the boys. You can only wear trunks at the beach. It was a fun couple of hours and Ally was so excited to use her swimming suit she brought.

Eric stayed home and did laundry instead. He was proud of his first experience of hanging laundry out to dry.

 This is their beautiful log home

We also made a few trips to the grocery store and each time I forgot my camera. The most imporant things to note were how we have a whole aisle dedicated to soda and they had 2 bottles each of only 4 varieties on display. It was also the first time that I had seen a whole rabbit in the meat case looking like it is going to jump its skinned body out of the case, teeth and all. We got to try all the different cheeses through out the week and we found most of them too strong to eat more than a little at a time.

After dinner we taught them how to play baseball. When they came to California they went to a River Cats game and that was their first experience with baseball. They brought a bat and mitts home for a souvenir. We played well into the night sorry they are so dark.

 Gilles swinging a bat for the first time and Judith playing catcher

 Gilles taking the bat with him as he ran the bases

 Armand at Bat

Eric pitching to Louison with me in the "outfield", many times we had to go searching for the ball over the trees and into the wheat fields. On the border of the wheat fields there are some weeds. None of them looked too "pokie" so I carefully went through them. Boy was I sadly mistaken. They have a weed here called Ortie which is also known as stinging nettle. Although I hear it makes a wonderful soup and has medicinal uses, the leaves have tiny hairs underneath that when touched inject histamine into your skin. Holy Smokes does it hurt. I just got a little spot on the side of my finder and it hurt worse than a bee sting and kept intensifying. Judith knew of another weed that conteracts the sting and we rubbed it on it. It only cut the sting in half but it did provide relief. Then next day my finger was numb on that spot and then the following day it was all better.

On Thursday we were scheduled to go to Gaby's school so they could be visited by Americans. Ally woke up with a sore throat but she toughed it out and we had a successful visit. Gaby goes to school from 8:30 to  4:30 Monday, Tuesday, Thursdays and Fridays. They have Wednesdays off school every week. I guess that makes up for the longer school days. She goes to a small private catholic school that has 4 classrooms. She is in a classroom of about 24 children ages 9-11. When coming in from recess they all stood at their desks waiting to be told they can sit down. First Ally told them about where she lives, about her family, and her favorite foods.

The kids were all amazed at the size of our extended family

Then we taught them "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" and played "Simon Says". They play "Jacque Dit" which is the same as Simon says so they knew just what to do.

Then they did a presentation on San Francisco. They had been studying all about California in anticipation of us arriving. They had also practiced their English. They took turns asking us questions in English. They asked us What time is it? What is your name?" How old are you?" and How is the weather? They were very cute kids.

 There is no air conditioning in the school and it reminded me of the same torture we had to endure in elementary school. I remember just putting my head down on my desk because it was so cool after recess as a kid. Luckily they had some dark curtains up to help but it was still very hot, Eric was sweating bullets. Eric also seemed to forget his English when speaking to the kids. Every time he would answer a question he would start in French and I had to remind him they wanted us to use English =)

We had a great visit and hope to start a penpal exchange with the class. Anyone have kids who would be interested?

We didn't even get to see even a fraction of what the area has to offer but we still enjoyed the company of our friends, meeting new friends, and living as the locals do. We were treated to a party in our honor on our last night. We met more friends and neighbors and had a great dinner, dessert, music, and singing along to songs by guitar. It is so funny to be in a land where they all speak French but they all listen to English and American music on the radio, in the grocery store, and at home. They know most of our bands and I can't even name one French one. Looks like I need to further broaden my horizons =)