Petit Section Picasso's in Process

As promised, here is a quick look at our winter themed arts and crafts!

With the snowman, we focused on circles; first we stamped the snow with wine corks and then we counted in English the number of "coal" circles we used for the eyes, mouth, and buttons. We made the snowflakes by mixing shaving cream and white glue (which gave it a puffy paint feel and look). Finally, we painted with watercolor ice cubes! An ingenious idea (thanks fellow teachers for sharing your ideas on the internet!). The kids loved this and started giggling once they realized that the ice cube was melting right in their own hands!

Since my children are just beginning to use scissors, I opted out of the paper cut out design snowflakes and went for these cool (but fragile) ear swab and glue snowflakes.

Another easy, cute craft: Handprint polar bears. I told the children to finger paint the snow (ahem, blizzards).

Of course we had to talk about penguins too! I'm regretting that I didn't make my own paper mache penguin with the children. This project definitely reinforced learning how to be patient (and above all not to be a perfectionist). The flour paste was all over the place!

Next, we celebrated Carnaval early at school (since it occurs during our February holiday.) Everyone dressed up (much like Halloween), sang, danced, and ate tons of sugary goodies (crepes, gaufres, bugnes, candy, etc.) A very energetic last day before break!

Of course with Valentine's Day coming up,  I couldn't resist focusing on friendship and love our last week before break. They were hysterical with their answers about kissing boys/girls. Then after singing our songs I told them to hug one of their friends. Nearly all of them came up to hug and kiss me.....tears, sigh, ahhhh gotta love my little French babies.

Our love bugs

They amaze me every day! 

Homemade Valentine's Day bags

My little Valentine's Day present (thanks Mom for the candy)

Finally, last week I was in charge of the vacation activities. I chose "Pirates" as our theme of the week. It went pretty well considering I had 20 children (varying in age from 3 to 10 years old). The boys were really into the fighting aspect and the girls loved the buried treasure. We even ate pirate themed snacks! Over the course of the week, we made a big boat out of cardboard, swords, eyepatches, hooks, and spyglasses, as well as our own pirate flag! Only thing I regret? Telling them we had to fight an octopus to get across the ocean...apparently that will cause nightmares. 

YARRR

Sailing into the sunset!

On our treasure hunt!

The map we found in a bottle :)

That's all I have to recount as far as school goes (well at least until I go back to school on Monday.) Next up, my adventures in the Alps :)

Mr. Snow Miser

January came and went, that's for sure! I might as well stop apologizing for the late posts and just admit that my life doesn't seem as exciting the second time around (well at least to me, if you're still reading a year and a half later, THANKS :) )

So what's new? Well, my lovely sister came to visit for five days, I held my first set of parent-teacher conferences, and I experienced my first ever French bath house.  Oh and it's been in the negative numbers now for a week (Celsius that is....10 degrees Fahrenheit). I wear stockings, leggings, and jeans every day and it doesn't do much. The wind slaps you in the face every time you leave a building.

I took Riss to my new favorite hotspot, Crock n Roll, and as much as I tried to push her to go out dancing Saturday night her jet lag took away any possibility of it happening. (Déjà vu? Yes indeed, it happened to my cousin last year, too. He fell asleep in the restaurant we went to, head straight onto the table and all). Sunday we walked for five hours nonstop. I discovered a part of Lyon I never ventured into and we came upon the most beautiful, non touristy view. Monday, Riss came to school with me. It was HILARIOUS. As soon as my children came through the door and saw a new person, they all stopped. Each one of them stared for a good thirty seconds. Even when they went to change into their classroom slippers, they couldn't keep staring. Apparently she made an amazing first impression. Every day in class I ask if anyone is missing from the circle. They still (two weeks later) shout: YOUR SISTER!

All of the parents said that their children love me and that they have heard their children singing in English at home, so that's good...must be doing something right :)

Saturday afternoon, I headed to Calicéo with three of my co-workers from last year. I had no idea what to expect. We started outside (our ears turning pink from the freezing wind), then went indoors, and finally ended with the hammam. It was nice to be in a bathing suit in January. Unfortunately being so short, I could never really sit on the benches without the bubbles going up my nose, or having the water come up to my mouth. It was relaxing nonetheless! So relaxing in fact that I fell asleep and missed my Saturday night couscous dinner :( 

New Risotto Recipe: Zucchini and Roasted Red Pepper :)

New Additions To The Lyon Family! 

Our Snowman!

Yay Snow!

Our Snow Covered Recess Yard

Happy Birthday Tania! Chocolate Cupcakes with Orange Buttercream Icing.

Tomorrow I'm heading off to the Ben Howard concert and I'm sure I'll have more to tell at the end of the week. We're celebrating Carnaval (Mardi Gras) at school on Friday and I have a ton of funny stories and cute projects to share! Keep posted! (Here's some music bait).

And until then, keep warm with my man, Michael!