A First Day, En Française

Today was Jane's first day! Oh my, we were both so excited and filled with nervous energy we could hardly sleep last night. (It felt like my first day too!)

But the morning came and we were ready. The hairstyle had been planned and practiced, clothes laid out, school supplies and backpack ready, French language cheat sheet in pocket.


She's in third grade this year! In France it's called CEII or 9ème (they start at 12th grade/ème and count down rather than up, like we do in the States.) We were told we could come up to the classroom early to meet Monsieur Laurent, Jane's teacher. He was kind, soft-spoken, and ... spoke excellent English. Hurrah! Oh, such an answer to prayer.

I stayed with Jane for the first half-hour, whilst the other parents were in and out dropping their kids off, looking excited and nervous just like us. After a bit, Jane told me that she was ready to do the day on her own and gave me a kiss on each cheek, just like a proper French girl. She amazes me.

All day I would find myself remembering her and what a big day she was having and begin praying feverishly. And when I saw her exit the building at the end of the school day, my heart near skipped a beat. Up she came running to me with both relief to have made it through the day and excitement at all she had done.

We all quizzed her over dinner (Peter and Lucette don't begin until Wednesday), peppering her with questions. We learned a lot about her day, but her most favorite thing? Lunch. They ate on proper dishware and enjoyed a first course of fruit or savory crêpes, a main course of roast beef with a sauce/gravy (that was apparently a-mazing), roasted carrots, and "the best crispy, salty fries I've ever tasted" and for dessert, a cheese sampler, yogurt and dark chocolate squares.

As I tucked her in this evening she sighed, proud of her accomplishments today ... and was wondering what will be the next lunch served.

My kind of gal.