worn out

whenever i told you i thought i might be ready to have kids (but not because i am actually going to, just because i thought i could)...i think i was smoking the good stuff that day BECAUSE as cute as they are, they are tiresome! i have been on my feet all day long and its only 1:15pm. These last few days I have had the lovely opportunity to bond more with my kids which hasn't happened a whole lot yet, but they are one exhausting bunch.

Yesterday Clemence showed me just how much she has been learning which makes all these headaches and frustrations worth it. She has been understanding more and more of my English and I have noticed because she will do what I say without me having to use French, which I still do a lot of, for my sake more than hers, but its been incredible. Yesterday afternoon we were with the neighbor girl playing in the snow and I was telling the kids something and it was with my franglish. The neighbor girl did not understand but Clemence did so she "translated" to her friend what I had said. It wasn't anything big or important, but I just thought that was so cool that she now understands me and whether I am speaking english or french she knows what I am saying. I know, I know, its easy to understand once in context, but we're talking about a four year old here... Anyways, it is making my job a lot more enjoyable now that I see there are fruits of my labor because at the beginning I was questioning whether or not I would be able to make much of a difference since I am not alone with the children that much, and now I see that I am. The little boy is having a harder time but in my opinon its because he doesn't really want to learn. He actually has English he learns at school but I think that he doesn't want to sound silly or stupid and so for him, English is what French is for me... but I don't have a way of explaining to him that he doesn't sound stupid or to encourage him except to continue to speak english with him.

Well, yesterday since I was home all.day.long with the kids, no breaks, no naps, no alone time... I was so thankful to go through my "home" drawer and re-find a bunch of things that have been sent to me thanks to my Mom and my aunt Debbie and cousin Sarah. The kids LOVED the crafts and making cookies, which I didn't think they would since their mom never does that kind of stuff with them. Maybe she just doesn't think to do those types of things with them? I have no idea, but it blows my mind because in the States, or maybe just the way I was raised, we had a bunch of Christmas traditions or games or crafts we did every year...making cookies, making ornaments for the tree, making christmas cards and other nic-nacs.... well, here are a few photos...

oh and we spent the afternoon playing in the foot of snow we received yesterday morning. it was fun!!!

not too long before I am on a plane to Vienna and then headed HOME for NYE!!! I am sooo getting homesick now that I know it is so close. I am so ever thankful for all of y'all and so blessed to have this time to come and hopefully see most of you... Hope everyone is having a blessed week before Christmas!!! This year has been completely different leading up to the holidays because 1. i haven't been Christmas gift shopping...no money and no space to carry anything= no gifts and 2. i am not in America with all the traditions and experiences to be had. It's been interesting. But i have enjoyed almost every second of it!!!

I was teaching them to "pose"

our attempt at a snowman (he has a knife for a nose)

Antoine lost his front tooth a week ago...

Oh, and last night I broke down and walked the thirty minutes to the "sports" store in my town and bought SNOW BOOTS. Where did I move to again? Finland??? It has been snowing so much and after the snow comes a lot of water and I also got word that Vienna is having some rather cold temps right now so all that added up to Kara needed some WARM, waterproof boots.... you know, they aren't as cute as I would like but I do have to say they could be uglier!!!

Well, the house cleaning lady just arrived so I think its time to let the kids out of the house and onward to the neighbors again!!!

Adios amigos...
love, me