Happy New Year!

Hello,

Our New Year has started with a snowy and cold return to Alsace: it's -5* outside and snowing hard. That's not to say we're not happy to be back, we are, but - brrrr - it could be a bit warmer!

We had a great 2 week holiday back home with my folks in New Deer. It felt really good to be 'home' and to wake up each day knowing I would spend the day with my family. You know what I mean? :-)

Jack also had a lovely time and really seemed to enjoyed being surrounded by English (Scottish!) voices. At any rate, the number of English words he can say has increased. He likes the most important words like plane, bus, tractor, cow, and without surprise the world's most important word, 'gateau,' became cake. As his 'grandma' had also bought him a life-size car, he learn key verbs like 'car drive' and 'car park'... and can now do a three point turn better than me!

Christmas was a right laugh, as he had his own stocking and later got a (noisy) stovetop that makes the appropriate or should that be inappropriate bubbling and sizzling noises.

To try and burn off everything we were eating, we took walks along beaches and in parks and we visited the Macduff Aquarium. A funny moment came when we went to Haddo House: Jack spotted the playpark wayoff in the distance and set off on his own, even though the path led uphill and way away from us. When Ben called to him in French to 'come here' he shouted back 'no, come here' and kept walking. You can tell from the photo that he got pretty far before he realised his game was up!

So, all in all, we had a lovely festive period and I do dearly hope that wherever you are reading this blog from (whether it be in the States or Iceland, China or Egypt, Scotland or South Africa, New Zealand or Brazil) I hope you are well and that the New Year 2009 brings you all the joy and happiness you deserve.

much love,

Robyn xxxx

Merry Christmas

Hello there,

I know it's a bit late but I did just want to say that I hope you are all having a lovely Christmas, spending time with your family and friends.

For our part, we're back home in New Deer: taking walks on the beach, relaxing by the fire, and enjoying each others' company.

Jack's having a grand time and, not least, because he can now encourage people to 'Have Fun!'

So, please do follow his advice and know that I'll be back in the New Year with more photos n stuff.

:-)

much love n Christmas cheer,

Robynxxx

Jack went to bed without his dummy on Monday. He's outgrown (literally) all the dummies we could find in the shops. We'd been telling him for days that Monday was the big day. When the moment came to go to bed he realised the end was nigh, and threw a complete tantrum... A bit at my whit's end, I promised him 'gateau' for breakfast if he went to sleep without the dummy. Immediately, he was all smiles and fell asleep.

After a full night's sleep, he woke up and had his cake.

Now it's Friday and we've had a full week without the dummy.

Sounds promising, huh?

Yep, except that he's got an outbreak of what looks like stress-related eczema.

Equally, though, the eczema could be the result of him eating something that's not good for him...

you know, like too much cake?

:-) Either way, the boy's fine and will be fine.. and we're rid of that darn dummy.

Mamas and Papas

Just a quick message to say all is well here, as autumn lays her colourful patchwork blanket over these hills and as the mornings bring a silver breath of frosty air.

----------------------------

Mr Jack is doing just grand - though he's a little confused about the definition of "maman" and "papa."

Last week, he turned to Ben when he saw Victoria on the French equivalent of The Wheel of Fortune:

Papa, c'est une maman!* He said, while tapping Ben on the knee: Papa, it's a maman. **

*I'm afraid that my son will be dearly disappointed later in life if he thinks all 'maman' are built like Victoria

**Later versions of the story may suggest he said: Papa, that's a Maman!

Also, every time he sees a photo of a man on a mountain bike, he's sure 'c'est un papa!'

------------------------------

At the same time, he's also learned two other lessons about life:

1/ That when you climb over the bars of your baby bed, it hurts when you hit the floor.
and

2/ When you push our bike down a hill (even a small hill), you are likely to fall at the bottom

Where have the last two years gone....?

... and where will the next few years take us?

Some Photos from our Trip

Being daft with me at Max's Patch in North Carolina.

Walking in the sea in Florida.

On the swing at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina.

Fish-watching at the Georgia Aquarium.

Lining up with the lights in Savannah, Georgia.

Playing with his friend Jack in Florida

Preparations for Leah and Joel's wedding in North Carolina.

Play it again, Jack

If only we could 'play it' again, we would. Our 18day journey through North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida was absolutely perfect because, aside from Ben being ill for a couple of days, everything really worked out for the best.

We did loads of things including:

Playing Wii with Shawn and Cara in the wee hours of the morning

Celebrating Leah and Joel's beautiful and heartfelt wedding on the shores of Lake Junaluska

Dancing to pop music on a wooden porch under a dark night sky

Walking a pretty pug dog in the open-ended woods with Mimi in the Smoky Mountains

Driving with Jada, talking about birth and death and the bits inbetween in Sylva

Singing to children's music with Molly and Oscar in Asheville

Boating with Chris and Howie on Lake Norman, as Jack both drove and controlled the music

Visiting the White Water Centre in NC with Chris, so everyone - in their own way - could follow the mountain bike trails

Paddling with Lis over turtles and by cormorants drying their black open wings

Swimming in Rainbow Springs, which are crystal clear, with Jack and Jack

Wading through endless shallow waters in the gulf of Mexico, finding crabs and scallops and that days doing nothing else but being together are worthwhile

Staring at shuttles at the Kennedy Space Centre, even though it was closed

Admiring (what else can you do?) at surfacing and diving manatee as pelicans flew overhead

Talking politics and travel and alligators in swimming pools with Joan and Bob

Visiting with Jen, alligators, spiders and oh so many wading birds on Merritt Island

Chasing Jack around and up trees in Savannah, Georgia

Gasping at river and sea otters, beluga whales, and whale sharks in the Georgia Aquarium

Sleeping, and that's a precious word, as we flew over the Atlantic on our way home

Yep, we have to thank our friends, our dear friends, for making our return to the States just so memorable, so breathtaking, and just so worthwhile.

Cheers!

Robyn (Ben and Jack)

splashing around

Hello again,

Since I last logged on, I've been boating with Chris and Howie on Lake Norman, North Carolina and been paddling with Lis at Rainbow Springs, Florida.

As we boated with Chris and Howie, Jack turned the steering wheel (and us), all while dancing to the music. As he danced, we relaxed in a boat that was dancing over the evening waves as the clouds turned a lighter shade of pale.

As we paddled today, Lis and I watched as cormorants dried their outstretched wings and turtles swam under our canoe and then surfaced just ahead - their wee heads turned peacefully towards us. And as we paddled, we thought of our boys - Jack and Jack - who had swum with us earlier that day through the crystal clear and cold cold water.

Yep, these are good indeed!

love hugs n watery stuff!
Robyn

Travelling Days are Here

I'm sorry I've sacked off writing anything recently but I have a good excuse: Ben, Jack and I are in the States, travelling through North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Right now, we're in Asheville, North Carolina.

If you're reading this blog from any of the northern or western states that know I really am sorry that I either haven't told you I'm here or that I haven't taken the time to come visit. This touring holiday really is about catching up with old WCU friends as the trip started with Leah and Joel's wedding. Trust me, though, I wish we had the energy and the gas to come and see y'all!!

Today we went out for a hike to Max's Patch - if you've the time, google images of 'Max Patch NC' and you'll see that this fantastic crown of land sticks, like a bald man's head, up over the sea of blue that is the blue ridge mountains! It was a really cool walk, especially as our heads are full of happy memories of all the people and places we've visited during this last week in NC and SC in Inman, Lake Junaluska, in Sylva, in Cullowhee and now here in Asheville.

It's lovely to be back to one of our 'homes,' for this was where our hearts resided for so many years.

hug,
Robyn

Now he knows what he wants...

Jack broke a little part of my heart this morning as he constructed one of his first complete sentences. It even had a subject, verb and object. The only problem was that I was the object and I was going in the opposite direction to him.

You see, he said: je veux maman (I want Mum).

And that, as I was getting in my car to go to work.

Ouch!

Otherwise, he can now say 'chickchicken' and 'baby' and the last time he went to the potty he peed consecutively no less that 7, yes, 7 times.

Here he is puting teddy to 'dodo', bed...with his make-believe dummy, comforter over his eyes, and a night-night song.

:-)
I hope you are sung night-night songs as sweetly!
hugs,
Robyn

Finding his voice

Jack's words are becoming little sentences.. and, goodness, aren't we all in trouble!

I want..

He can now say 'Je veux,' that is 'I want.'

He doesn't know yet what he wants but he wants it.

He'll point towards, for example, a pen that's on the table and say, 'Je veux.'

More...

During dinner, I'll ask him if he wants 'more.'

He know thinks that 'more' is an object.

'More,' he'll say pointing at his milk, 'more.'

Mine..

When he takes something that belongs to me, I'll say 'mine.'

He thinks this is a cool word and so whenever he wants to keep something he'll say 'mine.'

He'll even go as far as to say, 'C'est mine:' it's mine.

There is...

This morning I woke up to Jack shouting from his bed, 'il y a caca,' and I knew 'there was caca' in his nappy.. and sure enough there was!

Caca

Normally he screams this before rushing off to use the potty!

He's now been allowed to walk about in his pants quite a few times. He's as proud as punch about being such a big boy, until a wet patch appears.

Franglais

I guess you can already tell but the language Jack is speaking for the moment is a mix of French and English - Frenglish - if you like! When I say he's speaking, he's not really.. these are just the well timed utterences he's making. But, it's such fun to see the words 'appear' and to hear his voice and, yes, his opinions!

I hope your voices are all good and well,

much love,

Robyn x

Ten Days in Provence

I think here the pictures speak louder than the words.. and so I'll let them do their stuff. Enough to say that we spent 10 glorious days in Les Omergues, where Ben and I celebrated our marriage 4 years ago now.

Let Jack tell you about his life!

Jack is beginning to speak. He only has about 10 words for the moment and those words are fragile, but they are there and can help you have an insight into his daily life!
-

'Chaud' was the weather on holiday, every day (almost) which allowed us to spend most of our time outside. In Provence, that's a good thing as you hike along dusty paths and swim in water-lined gorges. Sometimes, though, the Mistral wind blows and causes Jack to blow on his hand in empathy of all things gusty.

-

'Gateau' is what he likes to eat...biscuits, bread and cakes are all greeted with a smile and an outreached hand.

-

'Kettle' is what 'Maman' puts on before she gets the 'gateau' out.. of course, the 'kettle' is 'chaud.'

-

'Papa' is cool. Of course.

-

When Papa is not there, Jack wants to know 'Où est Papa?' (where is Papa?).

If Papa is upstairs, outside, in the loo... Papa 'est là bas' (Papa is over there).

When Papa comes in the door he's 'PapapapapA.'

-

'Doudou' is two people: it's his teddy and his comforter. They go everywhere with him. (Doudou the comforter has a secret twin brother, just in case).

-

'Meuh..Moo' are what he says when he thinks he sees a cow.

'Meow' is his way of talking to cats.

'Urf urf' is the noise he makes for dogs... and he likes to present dogs with presents such as his succette/dummy or 'his' stones.

-

'Caa' is his word for car... and he loves cars but not as much as.....

'Boom. Boom' which are the motorbikes which simultaneously delight and terrfify him.

-

'Caca' is the poo that he does in his potty, when he has the chance.. which is quite often. Hurrah for the potty!

-

'Cuddle' is what his 'Papa' and 'Maman' like to give him!

-

'Qu'est que ce que ça?' is his eternal question and is always accompanied by a chubby little pointing finger.'What is that?' evokes responses that are as precise or as random as my mood. He always seems content.. which is a good thing as his lessons in 'franglais' (French and English/ Frenglish) are set to continue for a long time to come.

-

'ByeBye' and 'Au revoir' are always accompanied by frenetic hand waving and often by little kisses which are blown in smudges.

Where are you today?

Can I ask you a favour?

ClustrMaps is going to 'clean' my map at the end of this week, and so all the points which indicate where you are reading this blog from are going to ... disappear.

And, I'd love to know before they disappear where you are all from.

So, can I ask you (just this once!) to add a comment to today's blog saying where you are reading from?

I think it would be pretty cool to see the list of destinations because, looking at the map as its stands today, there are people from all over the world (b)logging on :-)

Hugs,
Robyn

Mounte Saint Odile

Yesterday, I went back to Mount Saint Odile with my friend Yvette to continue a walk we'd started last year. This time, instead of only walking for a couple of hours, we walked for four and a half hours and so really had the chance to follow the Pagan wall as it circled around the old monastery. The wall really is a grand old thing - built by the Celts, it stretches over 10km and is made of immense rectangular stones. As we walked through the rowan, birch, and pine forest, listening to the wind rustling through the leaves, and the sad whistle of a lone buzzard, we talked about the mystery of this wall - how it could have been built, why it was built, and who were the people that thought it so necessary to build such a big wall even though they didn't (apparently) build houses or even any type of shelter alongside.

Coming home, I did some research on the Celts and found out that Alsace was once part of the Hallstatt culture of Celts. One site notes: In the central Hallstatt regions toward the end of the period, very rich graves of high-status individuals under large tumuli are found near the remains of fortified hilltop settlements. And, indeed, our walk included a visit to a tumuli grave sites.

When you look at a picture of the site today, with Mount St Odile crowning the hillstop, it doesn't take much imagination to realise why the Celts chose this location. More difficult, though is imagining how they must have lived under those rowan, birch and pine trees where the wind rustles and a lone buzzard sadly whistles.

Chaud and Tell

The weather's pretty hot here in Alsace at the moment. How do I know? Well, not only is the thermometer dancing around the 30*C but also Jack is fascinated by the word 'Chaud' (French for hot). He'll look suspiciously at any food that he suspects is the slightest bit 'chaud'; he'll question if his bathwater is 'chaud?'; and, when we're out walking, he'll look at me and say 'chaud,' as if its my fault that the skies have decided to heat up.

Our apartment, at the same time, has become a cleaner place. Not only because most of the work is done, but also because Jack is a bit of a clean freak. He loves hoovering (he even has his own toy hoover), he wipes the table and the floor; and, when he goes to the potty, he takes off his nappy and then goes running (butt naked) through to his room to put the offensive item in the rubbish.. all while muttering to himself: bin, bin, bin!

Ben's pretty proud of him, as you can imagine. Not only for all the changes that are happening but also because today Jack tried to say a very important word: car!!!

Yep, it's official, our baby's becoming a boy :-)

Hoping you're well,

Robyn x

Shoes and Booze

Although Jack wanders about the place muttering from time to time words in French - Voilà, il y a, où est Papa?, Dodo - and although he seems to understand everything I say to him in English - your toys are in your bag, put the pen on the table and then give Papy a hug - he hadn't yet said anything in English.

That changed this morning. I was sitting barefoot on the stairs, getting my bag ready for work. Jack ambled up and handed me one of my sandals. 'Shoes,' he said, before wandering off to bring me the second one: shoes.

:-)

Dancing Matt!

I don't normally recommend You-Tubes but this one is a good one: http://wherethehellismatt.com/?fbid=B6LI_V

Click on the video that appears and you'll see Matt dancing his way around the world.

I find it pretty cool.

Enjoy!
Robyn xxx

We're Cooking!

And, Voilà - our new kitchen. It's not quite finished.. we still need to add a couple of cupboards and tidy up, but you get the idea!

What's more difficult to show with pictures is how our new kitchen has changed our lives - now we can stay together as a family as we prepare and eat dinner. Nobody needs to isolate themselves, Jack can play as we cook, and if we've forgotten to bring something to the table it's only a hand's reach awy (no more, running to the kitchen with Jack underarm!).

The next task on the list? Sanding the floors, painting the walls, and putting in the lights.

So, yep, we've still a 'chemin à faire'.. that is, miles to go before we sleep!

love n hugs whereever you are on your 'chemin' (path) and however many miles you have left to go before you sleep!

Robyn

The new room.

As you can see, our new room is not 'quite finished' but, goodness, we're getting there. Friends even slept there last weekend, making it like anything was possible. Now it's really difficult to imagine that the same space used to hold a kitchen and a cupboard. And, with the new setup, the window - which frames a gorgeous beech tree - gains importance and so makes the room feel 'more zen.' Yep, even with the dirty walls and unfinished floor. Funny, huh?

The Artist as a Young Man

Sitting in his new Ikea chair (yep, Jack got a new chair as we got a new kitchen), Mr Jack is as proud as punch and about artist as a camel - but we love him all the same!!

Hats n all

I don't think I need to add a comment to this photo - except, that is, to confirm

'Yep, Jack's doing well.. and is getting dafter by the day!!!'

Changes, ch ch changes...

And so, we've taken out the kitchen, eleminated a walk-in closet, and knocked down a wall and so created a new room - the photo is a little awkward: you have to imagine that to your right is a window and that the room continues a couple of feet further back behind you. This room is going to be our study and, maybe - who knows, in the future a third bedroom.









And in the living room, we've knocked down the wall into the corridor, redone the ceilng and mounted a 'stage' where we're going to build the kitchen. The kitchen in the living room? Yes, to avoid one of us having to the leave the rest when we cook.. and so Jack can continue playing in the living room as we prepare dinner, make cups of tea, or even just tidy up.

And down came the walls.

As you can probably guess from the photos, the demolition work has begun!


The plan? Well... you'll have to watch this space to see just how the changes take place!!


But, don't worry, you have time. We won't be finished until the end of June.


Hoping alls well at your end,
Robyn

ps/yes, that is Jack trying to do the hoovering :-)

Marion and the Princess

You might remember that back in October 2006, I posted a link explaining that my friend Melanie had won a prize for her beautiful and touching short film 'Marion And The Princess.'

Well, you can now watch the short film for yourself at the following link.

Enjoy!!!

love n hugs,
Robynx

Traveller's Rest

This is a time for travelling and for resting, in warmth of early summer sunshine.

Travelling because Benoit is on the go at the moment: two weeks ago he was in Finland, just now he's in Russia, and soon he'll be off to Estonia. Such travels are fantastic for him, as he's able to audit and thus visit forests and foresting companies.

Travelling because we bought our flight tickets last week.. to go to North Carolina for a dear friend's wedding in October. We'll be across 'there' (our old home' for two weeks travelling around the Carolinas and going down into Florida. I canna wait.

Travelling because Jack is also on the go at the moment. As we're currrently being blessed by daily sunshine, we're trying to go for a walk a day and often without the pushchair. Whenever he starts a walk, Jack immediately collects two stones. Then, during the walk, he replaces those stones with better ones. Even when he's in the pushchair, he's on the look out for 'worthy' stones. He also enjoys walking in tall grasses and giggles like mad when we lift him up so trees branches can tickle his face. It's all quite a delight.

Thankfully, though, we can always come home and rest - in our hammock or lounged out on the couch. And, Jack forces us to rest.. as he requires long daily naps to recover from all his walking, collecting, and exploring.

The apartment won't always be a quiet haven, though, as we're planning to renovate the place - knocking down the hall walls, bringing the kitchen into our giant living room, making a new room out of the old kitchen. You know, big stuff! All that should start in the next month and so I'll keep you posted...

love n hugs to y'all where ever you are,

Robynxx

Family Times

We've just returned from a week's holiday in the Vosges with my Mum and Dad. We rented a gite in Gerardmer, which is only an hour and a half's drive from here but really felt as though it was in another world.

Jack often left his pushchair to walk with us and to collect different souvenirs (sticks, stones, flower) along the way:




With him, we walked across a river of stones:





We walked around lakes...

..mostly in the rain:

We walked around waterfalls:

And we walked up snowy mountains (thanks to Benoit who pushed Jack's chair all the way to the top!):

And we were together, and that was good!

Wait, is this still Winter or already Spring?

As the snow fell today, distant memories of glorious sunshine only a week ago made me feel a bit confused!

That said, the weather inside the house is the same as ever: hilarious!

Here's Jack guarding 'his' baguette of bread!

love n hugs,

Robynx