New addition

 So this morning, Alina comes upstairs where I was and says, "Mama, there's someone at the door."  I come down and, sure enough, someone at the door.  I sign something, and he leaves us this box:

 

OK, to be honest, I must admit that Alina was not dressed when the box arrived.  Neither was I.  We had, I assure you, accomplished many important things already, like eating breakfast, practicing math and violin, and making double-reed instruments out of drinking straws.  But, we had not actually gotten dressed.  Using the curiousity incited by the box, I insisted that everyone be dressed before we opened it.  Alina, sensing something important, insisted on wearing The Dress for the occasion.  She then suggested that everyone draw a picture of what they thought might be in the box.  Here is her masterpiece:

 She is a good guesser.

This new addition has been dubbed "Princess" and has already participated in an impromptu, home concert involving the imitating of raindrops falling and peals of thunder.  She (because of course a "Princess" is necessarily a "she") has taken up residence in a corner where she will be very happy until we have to put the radiator back in use, at which point, she will have to find a more temperature-neutral abode. 

This afternoon, Alina came to me and said, "Mama, did I really get a harp, or was that just a dream?"  Her huge grin said it all.

Toast and jam, anyone?

I made a batch of plum jam this afternoon.  This evening, I discovered this label on one of my jars:

For those of you who are Franco-challenged, this reads (with some misspellings appropriate to a 6-year-old) "Toad drool jam.  Use before ......"

Zucchini

I took a big step recently.  After nearly 11 years of living in France, I finally bought an electric mixer.  I'd love to tell you about the meringue pies I've made, or the macaroons.  That'll have to wait until my oven gets fixed.  Instead, this evening, I mixed up some batter to fry some (ahem) zucchini.  Boy, it sure makes beating egg whites easy.  The eating of said fried zucchini sparked this conversation:

SYBILLE:  (Indicating her loadad fork)  What's that?

MAMA:  (Honestly unsure whether she was indicating the zucchini or the breading)  That's some yumminess.

SYBILLE:  (Whiny, with mouth full)  I don't like yumminess.

Tassia's Trumpet Tryout

Have been way too busy to blog for awhile.  I'll try and play catch-up a bit in the near future.  Several weeks ago, our church had the privilege of hosting a portion of the All Soul's Orchestra of London.  They graced us with their musical presence for a Sunday morning service, we spent the afternoon with them, and then they played a concert in Melle the following Tuesday.  Tassia has been talking about wanting to play the trumpet for some time now, and she was able to try one.  She loved it!  (And, yes, Alina's reaction in the picture IS indicative of the kind of sounds she produced!)