Me and Lou, who I don't get to see anymore:(

Favorite Kid Memories

So, I constantly hear about the cute things that my friends' kids are doing....which I love! But then I started thinking about all the kids that I've looked after, and all the cute and funny things they have said or done. And before I forget, I'd like to write some of them down to share with you:)
*After my first week in Switzerland, one of the little girls, Charlotte, who was 7 at the time, comes and sits on my lap before we sit down to our fondue dinner that we were having with her former nanny and her fiance, and the rest of the family. She looks at me and says,"Don't worry. Just because she (the former nanny) is here doesn't mean we'll forget about you." Too sweet, and it has stuck with me for the last 6 years!

*Moving on to the second family: After spending a lot of time with the 2 1/2 year old, and using a lot of 'kid' language, I overheard Leah talking to one of her dolls, using one of my many catchphrases. But she couldn't quite get it all out in one breath..."Oh, my good....ness.....grac..c..cious" I had to duck behind the furniture so she didn't hear me laughing:)

*The third fam was fun, and I spent the longest with them...15 months. Alixe was only 16 months when I started, and Tim was 3. So, I would speak in French to Tim, and English with Alixe. Whenever A. got mad and threw a fit, I would pick her up and put her in her crib. Then I would say, "You can come out when you're finished. Are you finished?" She would continue to cry for about 20 seconds and then say, in English, "Fin...nished." The coolest feeling was knowing that the few English words she learned and spoke came from me, and me alone. They are now 6 and 8!
Tim and Alixe, the first month I was there

*Skipping the 4th, and hellish, family and moving onto the 5th! Ahhh, the Lewertoffs!! Endless hours of entertainment everyday! I think that Zach, who was 3 at the time I was there, is probably one of the funniest kids I have EVER met:) Example: on our way to the park...a daily ritual....Z. was always dawdling behind me and the baby, and his older brother, Mikael. I finally turned around and said, "C'mon Zach. Put some pep in your step." He stopped and looked at me, and said," But what are you talking about?!" I tried to explain, but I lost him after a couple of minutes. So, the next day...same thing...only I turned and noticed that Z. was limping. So I stopped and asked if everything was ok. He looked at me, and with dead seriousness, said," I have some pep in my step, and it hurts!"

Zach, and his older brother, Mikael

*Another day at the park with Z. and his brothers: there were about 200 adults and kids all over the park, and Z. looked around and asked,"But, where are all the hoomans?!" I said, "But Zach, humans are people, and there are tons of people here." His reply,"What are you talking about? I do not see any hoomans!" I gave up!

*One of the little boys that my friend was looking after was a ham! He was about 2 years old, and sitting next to me in his parent's kitchen. My friend was preparing his lunch, but I guess he was already hungry! As I'm passing his chair, he looks at me and whispers, "Chocolate" and then turns, as if it wasn't him who said it!!! I guess he was practicing the art of subliminal messaging!

*This same little boy, on the same day but a few minutes after the last incident, saw me making toast for myself. I'm just about to put it in my mouth when he asked me,"Do you want some?" I was a bit confused, so I repeated his question to make sure I understood correctly. I said,"Do you want some??" He replied,"Yes, please." and holds out his hand. Can you believe he was 2 and pulled this off??! I gave in, and gave him some:)

There have been so many great moments with these kids. It's so awesome that I am able to keep in touch with almost all of them, and to have seen them grow these past few years. I should've written everything down at the time, but I was too lazy;) The stories mentioned above are only a fraction of all the great memories I have of all of them. For all of you moms out there, I highly recommend writing down those funny, cute, and touching moments you have with them before they're forgotten!

Salut tout le monde!

Man, this summer has been boring! Everyone should be forced to take vacation for at least 2 weeks...and it should be paid! Well, I say that, and everyone around me is doing just that. But since I am on a tight budget until the end of October, I just have to sit tight in Geneva and do nothing. Fun.

I have made some pretty big decisions about next year, but I think I will keep them under wraps until things are more definite. So, I have spent much of my free time planning, organizing, etc. to determine my next steps. I have also spent a crapload of time playing solitaire, baking, and surfing the net...all very exciting.

I love reading my friends' blogs, so if you have one and you haven't already told me about it...pass it along! Angie and Kelly....your blogs are always so entertaining! Maybe because it's chock full of kids' stories, which I love to hear about:)

I will start playing on a basketball team in a couple of weeks, which I'm excited about. I actually haven't played in 15 years, but what the heck? I'll give anything a try...especially since every time I find people to play soccer with, they disappear or move and I'm back to square one. I love team sports, but Switzerland is not well known for them....they prefer hiking, biking, skiing and tennis (thanks to Federer!). At least b-ball will tear me away from the computer....I've become addicted to The Office trivia challenge on Facebook and spend hours trying to catch up with the others who have already accumulated 30,000 points! (Each question is worth 10 pts, so it will take me awhile to get there!)

Anywho, I just wanted to pop in and say hi:) I would love to hear what you all have been up to this summer!