C'est La Rentree! It's Back to School!

Well, it's almost fall y'all! I love love love this season. I am not sure if it is the fond memories of the start of school or if it is the beginning of a long holiday season with Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas in the foreseeable future or if it is the crisp cool days and the smell of burning leaves in the air.. but whatever it is, it makes me happy. It is our first fall here in France and the days already give us a chilly start and you can smell the approaching winter as you walk on the streets. And, honestly, as much as I heart fall I don't feel quite the same about Clermont winters. Cold weather sounds nice in theory but, in practice, it isn't so much fun. I am definitely a southern girl at heart. I long for my mild South Carolina winters where it isn't unusual to occasionally sport flip-flops and shorts as we get ready to don the scarves, heavy winter coats and snow boots. All hope for winter fun isn't lost though... last week at a back to school picnic at Parc Montjuzet, located on a hill overlooking Clermont-Ferrand, we found the perfect grassy hill to go sledding down. There was a gentle slope with a nice level grass landing that continued for many yards... the potential for so much winter fun! Now, the people who previously lived in a city that completely shut down at the forecast of potential snow or ice and who have no experience driving in snow need to figure out a safe way to get up the small mountain. Hmm...

I am home now from my brief stay in the hospital and am doing really well. Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers and sweet messages on facebook. The surgery went really well and the doctors and nurses were incredibly nice and helpful. The language barrier was difficult but somehow we managed successfully. Freddie did a wonderful job taking care of the kids and the home and he got the kids off to a great start on their first few days of school. Sophia has the same teacher she had last year which is such a blessing as we were really pleased with her. Sophia adores her and I think the feeling is mutual. Joshua started Kindergarten and has had a great attitude about school and learning french and meeting new friends. I miss them greatly while they are in school but it has offered Emily and I a great opportunity to hang out and play and sing and just get to know each other better. She is blossoming into quite the almost two year old. Her vocabulary is blooming, as well. Her daddy got the first coveted "I wuv you" last night at bedtime. So sweet!

Speaking of the little bundle of sweet lovin'...

*Picture taken by my friend, Kim Cabe, amateur photographer but future professional! :)