School

Now that we moved in, we could go to the local council, fill in the paperwork, go to the local area school, meet the principal, get enrolled, then turn up (easier than it sounds!)

One of our biggest worries in coming to this place was sending Ollie to school. Often at home he really protests about being left at day care. How was he going to go at school, 4 days a week after going for 1 day per week, and when he couldn't understand anything?

On the first day, we were anxious, and Ollie seemed a bit down hearted. Every day, there is 2 hours off for lunch. At least he only has to turn up for 3 hours each time before coming home again. On day one, he skipped back to school. I asked him how it was, and he said they buzzed like bees, did some mash potato type dancing, sounded ok to me. They've started teaching him to write, and if you listen to him mumble a song, he's definitely picking up a lot of new words. It's mind blowing after being used to baby talk, learning to walk, then bammo we're into a new language.

Now to get Louis into daycare (much much harder than it sounds!). Lucky I have some French speaking colleagues at work, and one kind one offered to call up. The local kindy could take him, once we done the paperwork at the council, and in June 2012. I wrote out a list of private kindies (garderies) for him to look at. A few more days later, started to get worried, emailed the boss 2 up, got the answer that Assistant Maternelles were the way to go. We rang up a few more. I would feel guilty about wasting all this time at work, but it was my direct boss this time, ringing up the council to get an availability list. I wittled the list. Then we rang different ladies for some time. We are in a tough situation in that we can't speak the language, so can't do it in our own time. We owe my boss a bottle of champagne I tell ya. We both turned up to the his carer's house, a lovely place up a windy road, with a nice garden, and one play buddy. We left him there, and he just kept playing. On the 2nd day, he slept for two hours. He's mainly weed in the potty, and had one accident, think that's pretty awesome for a new trainee. Next week, Marie will work a bit. It's a big relief.

<-- after we moved in, the toys arrived. Ollie whipped together a tower during lunch. The other day, Marie and him sat at the beach and ate a sandwich, as Louis was at daycare for the first times.

Louis in the playground in Antibes. It's one of the best around the area. -->

Review notes:
Iveco Daily: acres of space inside, really nice gear shift. The driver's seat is pretty stiff though, and rolls around on springs.
Mercedes Sprinter: I think the Merc has a nicer motor. The turbo whistles nicely, and sounds like a real truck. Clever fuel filler is hidden behind the front door, so you don't need to lock it up. Just open your door, and fill.
Raclette: medium soft, tasty, big thumbs up.
President camembert: Ollie calls it "cake cheese". We eat half the container in one sitting. Deffo v. good.
Saint Loup Sur Thouet goat's: soft brie style, very goaty, delicious. Would buy again for sure. Marie and Ollie dislike it.