9th Birthday.

Loving to travel Zoe picked for her 9th birthday party a slumber party at the Embassy Suites. With a waterfall, popcorn machine, and indoor pool she thought she went to heaven and was celebrating at a five star hotel (which of course we reinforced).

Coloma- The Gold Country

Returning to the Lycee (French School) and entering 4th grade Zoe is learning both French and English. Gratefully we see her English kicking in and her spelling in excelling as she memorizes new words weekly. This year the curriculum focuses on California history. Starting with the gold rush the 4th grade classes were fortunate to be able to go to Coloma - the historical gold rush country to learn all about it for 3 days. Her first two night sleepover!

Coming back from the trip she announced we should move to Coloma. She loved it and it was so beautiful! (which it is in the fall with the orange and yellow leaves falling). A few days with a large group of friends was what she needed to solidify relationships and make new friends.

Her love of Roman and Greek history still stays but has now expanded to her interest in California history and all that entails.

For the third year Zoe has performed in Madame Lily Ann's Choreagraphe Presence spectacle. This year an entire show has been transformed from the story of the "Little Match Girl." Madame Lily Ann, a past Paris Prima Ballerina with the Paris Ballet is a master at choreography and putting together a show worth seeing. Parents don't just come and watch stupified their kids doa single dance, but an entire ballet is put on with elaborate costumes and terrific dancing. Her perfectionism does come at a price as Madame Lily Ann is strict and all about the dancing not much about self-esteem.

To our happiness, Zoe-Pascale has learned to handle Madame and not take her tirades too personally and enjoy the lessons, her dancing friends, the rehersals and the performance.

Anton, Martin, Luca, Cameron, Martin's Mom, Zoe-Pascale

Priscilla, Zoe's new friends

  All the Kids in the Canards de Chantons (Chorale)

Back at madame Lillian's for dance, she is continuing with Classique two days a week. Karate Wednesday afternoon moving onto her orange belt and she has joined Chorale for the winter concerts, singing in 3 languages. Friends are flowing, school is good, life is wonderful.. Eight is a great age!!!!!

Zoe and Rose playing dressup during lunch (a great break from school)

Love the saddle shoes...

  Wearing my homemade shawl!!!

Twirling plates on the stick

(I have included all the spelling as well. Remember she is only learning English and has had not training in writing in English at all!!!)

Mom, I love you with all my heart.

You're the beast mama in the world.

I hope yet you have the beast mother's day in the universe.

And that you are the beast mama in the world.

You've shond me the world , the planet with all its things. I hope you like this peme.

You are my mother and the mothers of earth and the mothers of wind and of the sea and of the rain and of the tornadoes
and of the fire and of the earthquake inondation (floods in french)

Love Zoe

Zoe-Pascale's good friend Sofia-Elena from the Lycee in Marin and her Mom were coming to Nice for spring vacation. What better reason to take a quick train ride (just the girls) and spend a few days with them. To my great luck I was able to use a carte enfant I had bought for the train the year before (and expires within a week of this trip) providing Zoe and I with tickets at 50% discount. Round trip for 105 Euro from Avignon to Nice was what I like!

Leaving on Tuesday morning from TGV station in Avignon, Jean and Pantoufle sent us off with great fanfare. The next two days were full of conversation, good food, laughter, beach, walks, carouels, parks and a bit of shopping for the ladies!,

We called her mom up and went to visit her and then went to the Zoo with her Mom and brother, Gabrielle. Here are some pictures from the zoo.  It was a different Zoo in Montpellier as it was full of woodsy walking paths and in between were animals in big pens. Not like the San Diego Zoo. The only thing to buy was Barbe a Papa (the beard of Papa) which is really cotton candy in English. The best part was it was free. Gratuit as we say in France.