Missus Bounty Basket

my schanafouilles  Monday was the first day of school. My eldest is in secondary or Cycle d'orientation while my youngest is in the primary school.  T he girls were anxious and I tried not to show mine.  However, compared to previous years, this time, it feels like we're ready. I am not talking about being on time, having satisfying breakfast, and all but rather the changes and the possibilities ahead. As their mother, I lovingly embrace it now, not without the first day anxiety :) and welcome the fact that my babies are growing up and becoming more independent. No more brushing their hair into pigtails and braids. School snacks are not prepared anymore. Though this time, one wore my t-shirt and the other one my light jacket. Some years ago, when my youngest did not feel like going to school, I drew a heart on a piece of paper with a little note that says: I love you forever. I told her that though, Nanay cannot go to school with her, my heart is with her and hopefully, s...

somewhere in India It has been three days since the girls went back to school after two months of semi-lockdown. To prepare for that back to school, one late morning, I have started sewing face mask for them but unfortunately I have yet to manage my machine and the sizes of these masks. It's kinda frustrating that a simple task like sewing gives me headache, yes, I am not good at this. I should have listened more to my Practical Arts teacher in high school. So, they don't have any mask on when going to school. The re-opening of the school makes me anxious. I worry about my children but at the same time glad that they will see their friends again and perhaps they might feel the normality of life again. I thought that our lives might go back to normal again but what is normal now? Everything has changed and we are all going to adapt to the circumstances. I wish to stop worrying, given that it's almost half  of the year and now what? I am turning 50 and there are so ma...

There should be a lounge,some magazines and while we're at it how about some coffee with macaroons or cupcakes. Ah! The dream of someone like me who accompanied her daughter at Claire's one Wednesday morning.  How I wish to say that it was a great day..an experience not to miss but it was just the opposite for me. The shop has so many interesting products and my two girls go ga-ga over them especially with promos like buy 3 and get 3 more for free or get 10 for chf 10.- They go round and round, undecided, ooh and ahhs as they hop from one display to another.  At this particular Wednesday morning ,however, there was only one daughter with me. I swear, she is  in the shop while I took this picture, buried among the merchandise. I didn't time her but it felt like eternity waiting for her. I should have chosen not to be mad, not think of the lunch that I needed to prepare and just wait and let my feet stay rooted in front of the shop. I should have sat and ordered some...

The girls have been clamoring for more baby pictures and videos. I want them to  brush their teeth  because the school dentist's note has a lot of x's on it.  Anyway, this is not about their teeth, I just wanted to write something tonight. My note in my planner says: write/journal/blog. I have to do something about this. To be able to accomplish something by mid-week aside from laundry or my forever note of clearing up the garden. It is cold now, a valid reason for not accomplishing the latter and/or perhaps the wind might blew the  dried leaves and browning vines away--I just don't know where and don't want to know. But  it's not happening anytime soon. So I wait for the sun or a sunny afternoon --some reason to inspire me.  Maybe tomorrow or this week-end. Heaven give me the courage. But for now at least I can cross out write/journal/blog in my planner and have that light feeling before hitting the sack.

 The girls and I walked to school this morning. We kissed good bye several times at a certain spot, a way of practicing to let them go on their own. My youngest was okay with it, the Ate, not yet. So there we were stopping after the mini fountain, after my favorite cherry tree which was vandalized by someone and was brought to life by efficient gardeners, after the bench, where senior citizens, mothers with strollers and even myself,  sat on when  tired of walking or just merely  quietly contemplate the trees and the life that surrounds us. We waved goodbye and I watched them walked together to school. The birds were chirping joyously, seemed glad that the trees are coming back to life and that the crocuses of yellow and lavender shades are all over the place. I headed home ready for my sugarfix but Peppa was there,smirking and so I opted to do the laundry instead. Happy Monday!

Espoo,Finland 2015 It was sunny this morning. The heat penetrating my face as I sat beside my husband, watching our girls went round and round the rink joyfully. I closed my eyes for a brief moment and revel in the warmth of the day. How I love to linger and fully submerge in this idle moment. To take my shoes off and pretend that it's 27° C. To drink aperol spritz... Nevertheless, I am thankful. For the warm day and family.  Cheerful girls and renversé.  Till next time Sunday.

 How I (sort of) conquer my fear  Ferris wheel always bring me dreaded memories. The mere idea of being lifted up from the ground makes me cringe with anxiety. Sembrancher from atop I thought that I was safe from this. I was wrong. Most of our summer vacation is spent up in the mountain. Fresh air, wild flowers and tarte aux framboises. I love being surrounded by pine trees and seeing La Catogne every morning. We would hike and pick up wild strawberries and blueberries along the way. Enjoying fresh bolets and chanterreles. However, reaching the chalet requires taking the CarPostal or the cable car. As one of our daughters started having motion sickness, the cable car is the most sensible solution. My first ride with the whole family though filled with angst went just fine. I was quiet all the way up, fighting fear and anxiety. But being alone with two toddlers is a different story. I tried to be composed. "Please, sit still."     V E R Y.  CO...

Internet might offer me something, I've told myself. So I googled thank you songs. Listen to the top 25 Thank You songs, suggested. They are good to listen to but how can I show everyone my gratitude with all these songs. So I give up. Here I am now writing my heart out. Our vacation started a year ago--I planned in my head everything. From the letter to the principal to the things and places my children should and ought to do. Every minute counts so nothing should be wasted. It's not everyday that we got this chance to spend Christmas with the whole family. I have my agenda filled with everything and at last we paid our tickets. Our suitcases filled to the brim with things I thought my family would love. Excited. Anxious. I was to travel alone with two girls with the energy of two young elephants. Finally, home with family and friends. 27 days of memorable moments. 27 days of laughter. 27 days of being with the people we love. and we thank you for these moments. Shared t...

Lying comfortably on the sofa as I contemplate my next move on saving the jiggling pets, this little creature slowly made her way in the half lighted room. It was then that the bomb exploded and the key came crashing down on the block. Whew!! Little creature: Nanay (Mother), do you want me to tell you a story? Looking at her excited face then quickly returning my attention to the exploding blocks I half-heartedly said yes and so she begun. Little creature: "There was once a princess locked in a tower.....blahhh...blahh.                        She has a mommy that wasn't really her mommy with a pointy hat                         but she was not a  real witch. Blahhh...blahh."                       "She also has a horse who spits fire blah...

  30 Day Snapshots # 22 It was a drizzling kind of day. She ran, jumped, and happily picked up twigs while holding her favorite Pongo . A spunky little gal, she can be a real challenge to her parents. But her funny antics rescue her most of the time.

The ride The first time I laid eyes on this one, I was amazed. A promise of many road trips and camping was written all over her.  But this is not what we have taken on a camping but rather this:    Nevertheless, it was still an exciting experience for the whole family.  A week of bonding and adventure. Something we'll all cherish. ♡

30 Day Snapshots  #13 Erin & Ate

  30 Day Snapshots # 7 Erin busy doing her sticker project After a night of performance, dancing to Monster high theme song what better way to spend Christmas morning than take care of the desert and the Arctic.

It was still chilly but the sun was awfully inviting so we trooped outside, joining my other half who has been cutting wood. The girls were squeaking with delight, throwing stones into the river, running here and there, stopping only to take some biscuits. It was a wonderful sunny day. So, I await for you, summer!

Bourgogne Trip Erin in front of the house in Chaignay. You might also like: Sapin de Noël Santa Clickin' for Sunday When less is more Howzat

Found this little thing sleeping on her shelving unit. After hours of running around, putting everything here and there, she finally got tired and left her Nanay and sister did the cleaning up! You might also like: Candlelit breakfast Early delivery Here we are again! Today Howzat

...even for a day. This would be really amazing. Books on the shelves. Toys in the boxes. Beds neatly done. Erin playing one toy at a time. Keeping the floor clutter-free. It's not everyday that this happen. All the more reason to capture the moment. To immortalize the tidiness and the calm that the girls' room exudes.Yes...even for a day. ♥ You might also like: Little people's out-of-town wkend do's and don't What do you think is this? Feels like spring Livin' life to the fullest! Howzat

Three hours of train ride could be a bit long for our toddlers and sometimes a challenging moment for us. Now that we have more or less honed our skill in traveling with toddlers, we are able to anticipate their changing moods and needs. Plus we time our trip just before their nap. It's always exciting for them when the train starts to move. They can be fascinated by the scenery so we don't let them watch a film right away. We play where's the cow/horse game,propose them a book,crayons/coloring book or even tell a story using the travel magazine. So here is my list that saves our sanity. which go to my backpack dvd player and a set of films 3 diapers wet tissues change of clothing for both toddlers first-aid kit child's valise crayons and coloring books thin book snack bag snacks--lots of them water wet tissues cloth napkin Aside from my backpack which also holds some personal things, a child's valise with her stuff/clothes and the...