At this year's Kermesse, we discovered that our son has a talent for hip hop (much to Freddie's chagrin), Emily doesn't have stage fright and Sophia has dance moves that MTV might be interested in (and, frankly, I am not sure how I feel about that nor do I have any idea where she gets them from as I only dance like that around our house when they are napping or at school).
This was the perfect end to a successful school year for our children.
Joshua had his ups and downs with adjusting to the french school culture and typical 6 year old friend issues but we were able to work on some key behavior and heart issues with him and, for that, I am truly thankful. He did have some good friends in his class which helped make his transition much easier. Academically he did really well this year, too. He is speaking and reading french but still struggles with vocabulary and can read chapter books in English... "can" is the operative word as we still need to work on mustering up some desire. I was very pleased with Joshua's teachers. He had two teachers - Madame Volle for French and Mrs. Stevenson for English. Joshua has also been taking tennis every Wednesday for the past two years but this next school year he will be trying baseball for the first time. Yep, baseball in France, who knew??
Sophia adapted very well to school. It helps that she had a fabulous teacher - Madame Arnaud - the same teacher Joshua had for 4K when we first moved here. Sophia loves to speak french and do her exercises at school. Sophia simply loves to learn. She has one best friend at school from the UK, Rose, along with many other playmates from all over the world. Like Joshua, we have been able to work on some character issues with her through her experiences at school and ice skating. She will continue to do ice skating as her extracurricular activity next year.
Our little Emily Claire had a great year, as well. She had the same teacher Sophia had the first year we were here. I had a very hard time saying goodbye to her on Friday. Part of me really wishes we had another baby so that I would have another child with the opportunity to have her as their teacher. She is incredible - Madame Demerson or, Pascale, as the children call her. She loves the children and she loves to teach and, as a result, the children (and the Moms) love her. Emily isn't speaking french but she is starting to understand and she can repeat, albeit her pronunciation needs work (as does mine!). She has a bestie from the UK, sweet Ava.. the sister of Sophia's friend, Rose, and they are literally inseparable at school (or anywhere we may be together). It is really adorable.. I don't think I have ever seen three year olds so enamored with each other. This year was more about play and meeting friends and having fun. She really enjoyed her time in her "school class", as she called it.
So, I am sure you have heard enough about how wonderfully smart, talented and over achieving our children are (aren't everyone's?)... so on to the pictures we go!
Joshua's French Class dancing and singing to "Do-Re-Mi"
Our very own Hip Hop Dance leader leading his English class to "It's a Hard Knock Life"
Sophia's French Class doing an African Dance
Emily Claire dancing to "Je m'appelle Emilie Jolie" (quite appropriate, don't you think?)
Inseparable from her forever friend, Ava.
