Great News!

The family is going to be on vacation without me from the 9th to the 20th! That means I have 11 days without the devils! I could not be happier!

In other news, I feel like the past few days haven't been awful, so those of you praying for me, keep it coming because I feel it!

XOXO,
Mandy


PS yesterday, I was gone all day, so after I got Gabrielle from school I got on the computer to check my facebook and email and what not. She would not leave me alone, and insisted that I let her play on my computer. Of corse I said no, and asked her to leave me be for 5 minutes, because I had been going, going, going, and this was my time to rest and unwind. She starts screaming that compared to her I am not busy. Because after all she has school, piano, hebrew, yoga, dance, ect.. I hope she looks back on this time when shes older and realizes how crazy un-busy with non-responsibility she was. In the mean time she'll moan about it, but at least it gives me a laugh.

I can't learn to like you if you keep acting like this.

Last night the kids went to bed super late. They were even still awake after I went to bed. I know, because I could hear them screaming and whining until I put my headphones in. Therefore, this morning, they were awful. I feel like a broken record in the morning, "get up, open your eyes, get out of bed, good morning, i mean it get up..." This morning Benjamin reluctantly got up after 10 minutes or so of my begging, and Gabrielle refused to get up. I asked her what shoes she was wearing to school and she said her Nike's, so I went all they way to her closet, found them among the 100 pairs of shoes, and set them down by her laid out body on the bed. Then she screamed. Literally it was a scream of bloody murder, and she yelled "mom-mo." All I could think is great whats wrong now? She then started saying I put dirty shoes on her bed and should be punished. Wait, wait, I should be punished for serving her lazy ass that won't get out of bed in the morning to get her own shoes? Hmm. She is making it almost impossible to even like her.

Then at breakfast, she usually refuses to eat, so I have even stopped asking her, because her response was always a whiny scream nothing. So I made Samuel and Elsa oatmeal. Then J-F comes in and takes the oatmeal I made for Elsa and starts spoon feeding it to Gabrielle. Honestly, I wish I would have taken a picture of what I watched this morning. Gabrielle was sitting in a parents chair at the end of the table, reading a magazine, as her mom brushed her hair and her dad spoon fed her the oatmeal I made for Elsa. I am so glad my job will be over long before she is a teenager. She is absolutely awful now as it is, just wait until she hits puberty. I can't say I feel sorry for J-F and S though, they are creating these monsters. If I do last and don't quit this job, 7 months of observing how not to parent your kids will make for a great book.

I am off to class in a little bit. It is my second day, and I am not all too excited after the first day. I was hoping to make friends, but I can't see any of these girls wanting to be friends with me. Who knows, maybe thats just how they are acting? After class I am going to have a picnic by the Louvre.

XOXO,
Mandy


PS- HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSH! 14 days till I get to see you!

YUCK!

I just went to the kitchen to get a glass of water and Josephine had Elsa naked on the kitchen table, and then she says to me Elsa just poo poo. Yay. It makes me think, if having a cook is part of my benefits here, how hygienic is she with the food. YUCK. I would rather cook myself and have a little authority around here.

That is all.

reinforcing how much my job sucks.

Last night, I put the kids in bed. Benjamin awoke about an hour and a half after from a night terror, and Gabrielle assumed that gave her leeway to get out of bed as well. I sat Benjamin down and called Sandrine, and told Gabrielle to go back to bed. After Benjamin talked to his mom, he went back to bed and everything was ok. Gabrielle fought me, she too wanted to call her mom, and I told her no, go back to bed. So she goes behind my back, and sneaks a phone call to Sandrine, who told her she was allowed to read in bed for 20 minutes. This was at 10:45. All would have been fine with me, except I WAKE THE KIDS UP FOR SCHOOL AND IT IS ALREADY A FIGHT EVERY MORNING. And who lets a 9 year old stay up that late on a school night?! UGH! When I say no, the parents say yes, and when I say yes, the parents say no, NO-DUH I have no authority here.

I woke the kids up this morning, and with the time change it felt like they were getting up an hour early. It was a fight with Benjamin and Gabrielle, but Samuel was half asleep and let me dress him. At least that made it 33.3% easier for me. Gabrielle didn't want to wake up, and Benjamin was super whiny. They ate breakfast and went off to school. Then I woke Elsa up. It is easier to give her her bottle in her room and then get her dressed rather than bringing her to the kitchen to have her bottle, then bringing her back down stairs to get dressed. She is semi-sick and coughing up gunk, I know, the fun stuff. When she finished her bottle she began coughing ALOT, and in the process projectile vomited her entire bottle everywhere. Fun stuff to clean up in the morning.

After I got dressed myself and did the dishes, I too was off to school. I felt like a little kid on the way, excited to make friends, and learn some French. I got to my class, and met another au pair from Pittsburgh, she seemed cool, but turned out not to be in my class. In my class, I think I am the youngest or close to the youngest. There are 3 middle ages South Americans/Spaniards, a very stand offish Russian woman, a girl from Denmark, I believe another American (but I'm not sure), a woman from Iceland, and 2 other people from who knows where. They didn't seem to speak English, and everyone seemed to know  more French than me. They all are au pairs, but I have the most kids. Well, there is 1 other girl with 4 kids, but 2 of them are over 14. They all have studio's apart from the families dwellings, got their classes paid for, and work 15 hours, at least, less than me a week. I am so sick of being the sob story, but why do I have to have it so crappy?! Before I was telling myself, at least I live in Paris, but they live here too and don't have it as bad. Maybe I can use their stories, to get paid more, work less, or gain more privacy. As soon as I figure out how to communicate that with J-F and S, I will. It's hard when they already look at me like I am doing nothing, and I get scolded for sitting and reading instead of doing heavy housework like Josephine. Home has never looked better.

On another note, the people who creep on my when I go anywhere, follow me and try to talk to me when I am noticeably not interested are starting to ruin Paris for me as well. I need to invest in a fake engagement ring to keep from getting bothered so much. At first, I'll admit, it was flattering, and now it makes me want to scream, and pepper spray all the men in Paris. Seriously just let me be. I even quit smiling everywhere I went for goodness sake. I need my daddy to come to Paris and teach them all a lesson on how not to act towards a teenage girl.

I am pretty sure I have to get the boys from school today (help me God). I don't see why Josephine can't do it, they are in far better hand with her, they at least listen to her. I hope it doesn't take Samuel running into the street and being hit by a car for Sandrine to realize I can't control him, not all the spanking, or yelling or anything has been able to break the boy and change that.

XOXO,
Mandy

I'm giving it all away.

Church was great today, it was exactly what I needed. I was blessed and got to attend it with Jasmine. She's a doll. After church I wanted to go to Notre Dame for a Catholic service, but the next one wasn't until 4:30 and I had to babysit at 6. So I went to grab a cheap lunch instead. At Paul Bakery, you can get a sandwich, desert and drink for 8 something Euros, which would have been great on my budget. I have had only 10 Euros to last me the last 3 days. As I walked the streets of Paris, I failed to find that bakery, but I found a sandwich shop where I could get a panini, crepe and drink for 5,50 Euros! Even better! I was alone in the shop for a while, and talking with the sandwich man, and ended up getting a free meal! How cool! There is no telling the lengths I will flirt for something free while I am so broke. He even upgraded me to a crepe with nutella, and threw in a bottle of water. Amazing! I gave him my phone number in exchange, but looking back, I think I got a pretty sweet deal for telling someone 10 numbers. :) For now I am above begging, but I am not above batting my eyelashes and laughing at silly jokes. You're only young once I suppose.

Then I came home and took a nap. I know this is suppose to be "my home" but on my time off when I am here, they expect me to be working. I can not just hang out at home on my day off. Sad really. The kids walked into my room to tattle and etc. about 5 times during my short 1 hour nap. Blah. I cannot wait to get some real time off when they are on vacation.

The parents went out tonight, so I am babysitting. I popped in a movie and told them since I was giving them a treat, the minute the movie ended their butts better be in bed. They agreed, but I still haven't gotten that far to see if they actually obey.

In better news, Elsa has officially named me. I am no longer Papa or Mama, but now I am Ra-ra! Yay! I think it is because I like to sing her the rah-rah-ree kick 'um in the knee, rah-rah-rass kick them in the other knee cheer my dad used to sing for us. Regardless, I'll take Ra-ra over mama and papa any day!

I start classes tomorrow. I am nervous and still deciding what I am going to wear and everything! I can't wait to have yet another outlet (of fellow au pairs) outside of this house.

15 days till England to see Josh!!! The anticipation for that trip is literally what keeps me going.

XOXO,
Mandy

PS- At church today they said "let it be" was amen, which makes my tattoo on my foot even cooler I think. AMEN!

French kids are so whiny.

I thought I had just gotten a couple whiny kids in my first family. The boy there was an expert whiner. He whined every time you said anything at all to him. Then when I got fired I thought my experience with whining was over. Oh boy was I wrong...

Then I came to this family where no longer did I have 1 whiner, I had 4. Its awful. It must be a French child thing, but the whining in another language makes me crazy. They whine about everything. I know I was the master whiner as a kid, but this takes the cake. And it is not only my family where the kids whine I've observed. They whine in the school yard, and in the park. It drives me absolutely bonkers. I will have to record it and put a video up, because you will see exactly how insane it is.

Anyways, today I babysat all morning. Then I went to the Gardens at Luxembourg with Jasmine (the student from NYU). It is a beautiful place. I may even like it better than Tuileries, but it is harder to get to. 3 different metro lines to get there, makes for no fun. But I had a great day having some great girl talk for a couple hours this afternoon.

Tomorrow we are going to Hillsong together, which is always great. And remember those of you living in France, the time changes tomorrow so everything will seem an hour earlier for a while.

Tonight I am babysitting, which is never fun. I'd like it alot better if I got paid overtime, which will never happen. J-F and S are again having a dinner party here (the like zillionth since I've started working here). They take me for granted.

Oh yeah, Samuel was being especially awful today and I said, told him that because of him I was thinking about returning to the states, I asked him if he'd like to be the reason of my quitting (which is wrong) but he said yes, au revoir. The little devil. I don't know what to do to make the kids better here, since nothing I do holds any ground. But I am trying and praying. I know after this job anything I do will be a walk in the park.

XOXO,
Mandy

SHE BIT ME!

This morning, miraculously the kids woke up before me. I had to check my watch 3 times to make sure I didn't wake up late. Then I made them all breakfast. Suddenly Gabrielle and Benjamin broke out in a really violent fight. I tried to break it up. Since Gabrielle was the one landing all the blows, I went to her to remove her. In the process she bit me. Not a little Elsa type bite, the girl broke skin and made me bleed. The parents were real nice to me after that, and the mom tried to defend her saying I am so proud of Gabrielle, she befriended a boy at school with no friends. I snidely replied, I hope she doesn't bite him too. But honestly what kind of 9 year old girl thinks its ok to bite the au pair?

XOXO,
Mandy

FRENCH PEOPLE ARE SO RUDE!!

Yesterday I got the boys from school. benjamin was on a field trip and got back 45 minutes late, so for an hour I had Samuel running wild, getting restless waiting outside. Then after the wretched walk home with 2 awful children, I had to turn and go get Elsa from daycare. At least its been nice outside.

I read while they played in the garden. I got an amazing book called The Shack. I know I have recommended a couple of books throughout my stay here, but this is for sure a must read. All was going fine, and then Josephine suddenly decided it was time to go bathe the boys. I took them downstairs, leaving my purse and my book. Nothing out of the ordinary, since this is suppose to be my house and all I think I am entitled to leave my stuff out for 30 minutes then get it. The latter part of that statement it more than the other people that live here do.

So I bathed the boys, while they splashed me till I was dripping wet, thinking it was hilarious. I on the other hand did not. When I first started working here, they boys at least half listened to me, but something has changed and they literally don't listen to a word I say. I think Benjamin is behind this change of heart. When the boys were out of the bath and I was getting pajamas on them, J-F came home. 10 minutes later, he calls down to me saying my purse is open and the contents are everywhere. He then went on to say, Elsa found cigarettes in my bag and they too were scattered about. I know, before you all judge, which in my opinion you have the right to, smoking is a nasty habit. In my defense everyone in Paris does it, and somehow I picked it up going to the pub. But that makes me look worse I think.. the whole if everyone was jumping of a bridge would you do it. I have and never will smoke in front of a child though, and I never have and never will smoke at their house. I guess you could say, as there are social drinkers, I am a social smoker, doing it with company at the pub. Whatever. As I was trying to gather the contents of my purse, Gabrielle stood there yelling.. "you fumer?!" (Fumer is smoke in French). All four of the kids, J-F and Josephine just watched me. There was no point in saying no, but I was not about to say yes. I just took the stuff and went to my room. Unluckily for me, dinner was 10 minutes later. I had to sit at a table with all of them for 40 minutes, while Gabrielle continued to ask me questions. J-F at one point said it was none of her business but she still pressed the subject. I guess that proves that I have never smoked in front of a kid while I have been here. The whole while, dreading when J-F decided to talk to me about it. He still hasn't said more on the subject and neither has Sandrine, so it may be over. And I still need to thank Josephine for watching Elsa for the 15 minutes I was downstairs bathing the boys. Whatever.

Today I did the normal morning routine, then decided to get out of the house and spend all day reading at the Tuileries Garden. It was a magnificent afternoon. I met a man who worked at the Louvre and thought I was French (I believe because I didn't have makeup on today). And he circled all of the places on my map of where I should go before I left. Very cool.

Today, again, I got the boys. I think that if I died and went to hell, that would be exactly what awaited me. Samuel doesn't listen to a word I say, I get stares by people on the street, glaring into me, "control these kids." I really have no idea what to do. They are uncontrollable. Then on the bus, it was full, but eventually 2 seat opened up. The boys get in less trouble when confined to a seat. I stood at the end of the bench keeping them from leaving their seats. When the bus turned, I got jolted into a man sitting down. He gave me a look of death, and I apologized, but for the remainder of the ride, if looks could kill, his would have. Then about 7 or 8 stops from ours, 2 blond middle aged bimbos got on. One said to me that the boys had to give up their seats for older passengers. I looked at her with disbelief. Then she reached around me to help Samuel from his seat. I looked at her, and said are you kidding me? She just said thank you and sat down. THE FRENCH ARE SO RUDE! I have 2 of the worlds most misbehaved kids and you want them to stand, and run around the bus. Its days like these that especially make me miss the kindness of the people back home.

Anyways, I have to go watch the kids play outside, before Josephine does something else to spite me.

XOXO,
Mandy

Everyday

Yesterday I got off work early. By some miracle J-F had all the kids in bed at 8. It was the first and last time that's going to ever happen. They all even woke up before me this morning.

I got off work early and went to the pub to meet a fellow American here on business. Everyone is so friendly at James Joyce (the name of the pub) and we got to talking to a Danish man. Then we met some Fed Ex pilots and just had a great time. My head was overflowing with facts by the end of the night. There was an awkward second at the pub last night, my "French boyfriend" stopped in, and I was with a fellow American, that I wasn't going to leave just to attempt to talk to him. I think he understood. My "French boyfriend" asked me to go on a picnic with him today at 2, and I agreed, then Sandrine this morning says I have to go get the boys today. Lucky me, a picnic would have been a lot of fun.

Tonight I believe I have to babysit, or maybe that's tomorrow night. I need to get a dayplanner to keep up with my life.

Everyone please pray I don't kill one of the boys on the walk home from their school today, and that Samuel doesn't kill himself by running into traffic. Out of all the awful things I have to do for this job, I think picking the boys up from school is what I hate the MOST!

XOXO,
Mandy


PS- Yesterday when I got Elsa from daycare, she had a cut on her face from getting in a fight with a little boy who bit her. Then I get home and Samuel has a black eye from who knows what. These kids look like street fighters. Insanity.

ELSA FAIT CA CA!!!

I officially got Elsa to poop in a mini toilet. I feel so accomplished, its like a huge stepping stone and I was there for the first time. After she finished I showed her, and said good job Elsa! So good! and clapped. As soon as she saw it she started to cry. She ran to her room (naked) and grabbed a diaper, then ran back to the bathroom and bent down to put it in the diaper. I stopped her. Then she cried despite my applause and praise for 10 minutes wailing ca-ca, ca-ca! Crazy kid, but this may mean no diapers soon :) yay! Of course I took a picture (not of the poop) of her on the potty! Hope it can embarrass a future date! :) Way to go Elsa!

XOXO,
Mandy

So, you're thinking about becoming an au pair..

Here is some advice I have for those of you who read my blog, in research of being an au pair.

• Do not work for a family with more than 3 kids, I never thought the jump from watching the occasional 3 to a family with 4 would be big, but its HUGE.
• Find a family with kids who are well behaved or semi well behaved. If they parents say, "they're kids" RUN!
• Try to talk to the former au pair before, and ask a ton of questions.
• Don't get a job where you'll be the families 1st ever au pair.
• Get a schedule, and sign a contract. I still haven't and I am working 25 hours more than is allowed by law.
• Try and find a family who will pay for your French courses. If not, they cost your entire income. 
• Don't work for Ivy League graduates. Especially not French Ivy League graduates. 
• Make sure you are not taking a kids room, or the kid will forever think it is there room, and therefore think she has the right to go in it and rummage as she pleases.  

Thats all I can think of at the moment. I think if I put it in an advice forum, it doesn't look like I am complaining. (better Pops?) :) 

Tonight I am hoping I'll be able to go out. I got invited for drinks with a New York businessman working in Paris for a couple weeks. He seems nice, and nothing is better than free drinks (especially on my salary).

I miss Madison already, I started talking to myself last night, I took for granted having an English speaker always around here to talk to. I hope everyone likes their gifts she brought back.

XOXO,

Mandy

Mater

I had another great Sunday. I don't care if it makes me a bad au pair. Sundays without children will forever be my favorite days here. And besides no children means no dealing with their parents, so who can blame me?

Maddie and I woke up early and headed out. We went to the McDonalds down the street, because I wanted a sausage biscuit for breakfast. I started in French ordering a sausage biscuit, but that didn't work. Then I tried English, pleading with the guy. Also didn't work. In France they serve pancakes with nutella for lunch. I began to try and argue with the man.  Madison stood behind me looking horrified. Eventually I gave up and had to walk away to keep from yelling at him. I only wanted 1 dang sausage biscuit.

After breakfast we got on the metro to meet a new friend Mr. Jordan Fein introduced me to - a fellow NYU student studying abroad in Paris. We went to Hillsong together. I think any young person in the Paris area should go to Hillsong. It's pretty cool.

After church, Madison and I went to Champs Elysse. It's the only place in Paris with places open on Sundays. We went in search of getting me a new French cell phone. Madison was happy there were crepe stands, and got one with Nutella. She loved it. I think there are 2 kind of people, ones who love crepes and ones who don't. I am in the latter category. We stopped in the Restaurant my "French boyfriend" works at and got free coffee and some good company for a bit. The place was empty. Madison giggled as we tried to speak to each other, but in her defense, I bet it is pretty hilarious. Then we went grocery shopping for things Madison wanted to bring back to the states with her. She got applesauce in pouches, madeleines, chocolate, and wine (not for herself). Sounds all pretty French to me.

We decided to end her French stay here at my mom's and my favorite restaurant in Paris, Chez Clement, or the Chili's of Paris I like to call it. We were loud and obnoxious, like any good American should be when eating out in France. We headed over to the trusty pub after dinner. We met 4 American men here on business. They all grew up in either Texas, Oklahoma or Louisiana, so they spoke with Southern drawls. One even graduated from Richardson High School and grew up on the street behind my house. Small world huh? Well they all live in the Dallas area now, and one (picture Mater from Cars) offered me the position to nanny for his son who will be born in July for twice what I make here. They made me miss the states so badly. At this point I'm thinking I'll be going back at the end of July. Only a crazy would ever leave TX.

XOXO,
Mandy

Sorry to neglect.

I have been having so much fun with my babysister exploring Paris. We went to Sacre Cours, and all over the place. The pictures say it all, go look on my facebook.

A day after the abuse from J-F I sent him an email, thanking him for the opportunity and essentially giving in. I am only here for 4 more months, I can suck it up till then. He replied back a very nice email, thanking me for all I do, and now the whole thing is water under the bridge.

Last night I took Madison to the Hillsong's 18-25 year old hang out at a club they rented out. I love Hillsong, and all the great people I have met there, but the club reminded me of a higschool dance. We left after 40 minutes and went to the trusty pub. It was a relaxed night at the pub, so I just got to sit and have fun with my sister. We left in time to catch the Metro home and while walking down the stairs, I totally wiped out. Fell down a flight of stairs. My foot got all scratch and my back is all bruised. But thats not the worse part. Somehow during the fall I dropped my phone. Neither Maddie nor I noticed. By the time we did, and we went back, it was gone. I got home and called it, and the man who found it would answer. Then I called this morning and it was turned off. I haven't gotten the courage yet to tell S and J-F, but I'll be buying a new phone on Monday. How lucky am I.

XOXO,
Mandy

That man is mad (not like angry, the GB kind of mad)

Yesterday with Madison, we went shopping. Bought some really cute clothes for her. Then we went to lunch at a cute little French place. I tried to get her to try duck liver, escargot, or tartar, but she got the salad with bacon. After lunch we came home and took a cat nap. Then woke up and got Elsa from daycare. We were the first ones home. Josephine came back 30 minutes later with the boys. Maddie and I played down stairs with the kids, and Gabrielle went to dance. I bathed the boys, ate with them, and everything felt like a normal day.

Then Jean-Francois asked me to talk with him. He called me out of the room, and in my head I was just thinking, what does this horribly disrespectful man have to say to me now. He began: "Josephine went into your bathroom today and she said it was not clean." I said, yes I haven't gotten around to it, but if you wish I will do it tomorrow. Then he went on, we gave you a new bathroom with cleaning products and sponges, you should be cleaning it twice a week. I said, like his kids, I was raised with a house cleaner, so something like scrubbing a bathroom occasionally slips my mind. He went on to criticize the way I was raised, saying I can't believe your parents never taught you that, mine did. I then replied, oh, so your kids know how to clean a bathroom? He said, they are a little young. HA! I would love to see the day he tries to teach any of his children how to clean. They can't even clean themselves, and I have to bathe even the 8 and 9 year old. I quickly straightened up my bathroom, because I wanted to go out for St. Patty's. And walked back out to him and said, I picked it up, would you like to inspect it. I did this because I know the second I took a step out of this house, he would be up in my room going through everything. He jumped at the opportunity. Then he walked around my entire bathroom pointing out how disgusting this way or lifting up my drain plug and saying you need to clean here. At that point I was fuming mad. If I didn't myself out of there I would have said something (true) that would have gotten me fired. Remind me to thank Josephine for prompting this. And after she laid in bed for a week "sick" and I did twice the work for her. I'm glad to know how this relationship is really going to be from now on.

This morning it took everything I had to be polite to J-F. I really have never met someone who looked and talked down on me so much. I have never been treated like a 2nd class citizen before I came to work here. I am really to proud for this job, and soon I think I am going to break, and just go insane on him.

I got the kids ready for school, fed them and all was ok. Then on the way out Sandrine said, make sure you are helping Josephine, so she doesn't feel like you are making more work for her. Again, I am doing the same work as I ever did, Josephine cooks and does the heavy (laundry, ironing, moping) housework, I am still doing everything else. So, I am not sure why she is saying things to the parents, I guess she suddenly had a change of heart and intends to make living here hell again for me? I don't know.

Sorry for this awful complaining blog. If I don't write it down I will snap, and get fired. I am looking as today as a new day and I am praying I can be civil with Josephine. Knowing my personality, I would usually be anything but civil after she turned on me like that.

XOXO,
Mandy

It's just like New York

On the walk anywhere Maddie likes to day, "it's just like New York." Then I reply, except for the lack of people smiling, no english, dog poop everywhere, and smoking, but yes other than that, I guess you could say it is like New York.

I woke up today and got the kids ready for school. Samuel was being bad yesterday, so I refused to give him his present. This morning he woke up with the greatest ease. I told him once he got dressed, I would allow him to open his present. He practically jumped out of bed. The boys went off to school, then I got Elsa ready. Gabrielle is putting on an act with Maddie here, and is acting like an angel. Gag. Maddie thinks she's fun, and Gabrielle seems to adore Mad-Mad.

We walked Gabrielle to her friends house, then went explore Paris. We went to the mall by the Louvre, and bought some gifts for people back home. Then we grabbed a coffee at Starbucks. After, I took her to my favorite place in paris. Tuilleries, it's beautiful especially with the sun out. We laughed about all the naked statues, posed and hung out by the ponds. Then I took her to Notre Dame. She wasn't all that impressed with it, and we walked through fast. Though the church is beautiful, it's more of one of those things you go to, to say you did it. We got lunch at a crepe shop, and met an American on a pilgrimage. I was even able to give her directions to St. Dennis (thanks mum for taking me there, so I'd know). We got on the Metro home. Now were relaxing until I have to take Benjamin to the hairdresser, then get Elsa from day care. Mad and I have to babysit tonight. I hope her newness doesn't wear off before that, so the kids listen to me.

Pictures of our adventure so far are on Facebook! Go look!

XOXO,
Mandy & Maddie

Maddie's here!

Yesterday was the normal kind of day. I got the boys from school. Samuel ran into oncoming traffic, you know the norm. Then in the bus he wouldn't stop screaming, NO, STOP, so I covered his mouth with my hand. I forgot he had a stuffy nose, and I almost suffocated the boy. Not that I didn't warn him that I was going to kill him before though.

At home, Gabrielle was in a bonding kind of mood. She insisted on doing my make up. I let her, then she wanted to have a photo shoot, so she and I could be my new facebook profile picture. So if any of you were wondering, I look that way in my picture because I let a 9 year old do my make up.

This morning I left early to get Maddie from the airport. After a hour and a half of waiting on her, I went to information so they could call her on the loud speaker. After that, I finally found her. We took the bus and metro back home with her thousand pound luggage (which I had to carry), it was rough. Then we unpacked all the gifts from back home! Thank you Lois for the pizalles *sp* and thank you Sarah, Liz, Bella and Mirabelle for my amazing gift! I love them all!

I took Maddie to a restaurant, for her first French meal. Then we walked to the Eiffel Tower. Beautiful. On the way home, the Metro cops stopped up to look at our tickets. Maddie's was a child's ticket, because there was an issue with the ticket machine. We got fined 50 Euros. How lucky. Mad is sleeping now, and I am about to go get the kids from school.

I am so excited to have Parisian adventures with her.

XOXO,
Mandy and Maddie

That's Wild

I woke up after "sleeping in" on my day off. I took a shower and got ready thinking church began at noon. I left with enough time to get breakfast on the way. I was rummaging around my purse and saw the business card for church. On it, it said church began at 11. It was then 10:50 and I was about 11 metro stops away. Yikes! Somehow I got there just in the nick of time. Kara, my au pair friend from Houston, waited for me outside, because she's awesome.

After church Kara, a Canadian girl and I all went to the Japanese restaurant across the street. It was so cheap it was amazing. For 7 Euros, I got 6 rolls, soup, salad and rice. In Paris, that's a huge bargain. We sat at a long table, because that is the usual hang out for people after Hillsong. 2 Haitians from Florida came in and sat with us. Everyone was great company. Just as I was about to have to go, 2 GORGEOUS men (they were twins) from Pittsburgh came joined our table. It was hard to make myself leave to go to a 5-year-old's birthday party when such amazing company joined out table. I need some au pair award, because I did it.

I got home at 2:50 pm, 10 minutes before the party started. 2 kids were already there. I blew up balloons and covered the kitchen table with newspaper because it was my job to do a mask-making workshop with the guests. From earlier blogs, you may recall how I think Samuel is a tad crazy, with way too much energy. Sometimes I believe I even refer to him as a little devil. Now I know where it comes from. These 10 kids (9 boys and 1 girl) were absolutely wild, and I observed that without knowing what they were saying. J-F was amazed at how misbehaved they were. He did a marionette show for the kids, then they played magical chairs. After magical chairs it was my turn to entertain them with making masks. Paint + 10 misbehaved 5-year-olds is quite a site. I'm impressed I succeeded and every kid made a different animal mask. Then they ate cake (or tons and tons of candy rather), played pin the tail on the donkey, and "listened" to a story told by the story-teller.

I cleaned up 50% or so of the mess once the kids left and got ready to go back out. I took the metro to near Notre Dame, I wanted to see it at night. It is amazing all lit up. I had dinner alone at the piano bar, and sat on the patio so I would have a view of 'Our Lady' my whole meal. Perfect dinner. Just as I was finishing, I got a text from my French model friend I went out with the other day, for now we can call him my "French Boyfriend". He told me to come to the restaurant he serves at and wait till he got off.  Having finished, and having nothing better to do, I went. I got there at about 10:30 pm, expecting him to be off soon, but no. I sat, got amazing service, but nonetheless sat in the restaurant playing with my iPod forever. He finally finished at 12:30. I was just expecting to grab a drink or possibly take a walk, so I would get home at a reasonable hour. Instead he took me to a French Disco-Tech (night club). Not only do I HATE clubs, but I was by no means dressed for a night at the club. From going to church earlier I was still conservatively dressed.  In fact, I looked like a 50's house wife. I was in a skirt that went past my knees and a long sleeve shirt (that showed no cleavage), I wasn't even wearing a push-up bra. I was so out of place. The people in the club all looked like they walked out of the Jersey Shore. I had 10x the amount of clothes as all the girls and no bunny ears. I felt bad for my "French boyfriend," but he didn't seem to mind my outfit at all. He could have easily been the most attractive man there, and he never left me, or seemed embarrassed by me. He's pretty cool.

We left at about 3 to walk home. I was already later than I thought I would be getting home so I made him hail me a taxi. We said goodbye, and I got into the taxi. The taxi man was the nicest but creepiest I had ever had. He offered to give me a free tour of Paris right then instead of taking me home. I politely declined. He kept saying, "Tu es tres belle," and "J'aime americaine filles."  Well cool. I finally got it through that I had to be home, and he took me there. He said he could give me the tour tonight. I took his number but won't be calling. No creepy taxi man for me.

Sorry I didn't blog yesterday, as you can see I was quite busy.

My sister comes in a couple hours, pray that she has a safe flight!

XOXO,
Mandy

Just another Saturday

My heart goes out to all those effected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The family has been watching clips of the disaster today, it breaks my heart. Even Samuel is sad by what he sees.

I slept as I said I would, and declined my invitation to the discoteque and stayed in. I woke up at 9 after being allowed to sleep in this morning. Then Sandrine went to the doctor/shopping for Samuel's party tomorrow, and the tutor came to do homework with Benjamin and Gabrielle. I played in the garden with Elsa and Samuel. Eventually J-F got home.  After I had told the kids they could watch a film, he said no. They were all so very mad at me. I went to the butcher just as they began lunch with had bad moods erupting. I got home from the butcher, and the house was on the verge of breaking. The kids were being rotten, and J-F was growing angry. Weekends are always a little bit tense. I am happy I only have to spend 1 day of it here. J-F put Elsa and Samuel to sleep, and that triggered my rest time as well. I sat in the living room reading.

Now I am playing with the easier 3 kids (Gabrielle is at tennis) while the parents are out shopping. I have to babysit tonight, but the kids are allowed to watch a film. LUCKY ME. Ha. I have off tomorrow morning, and I am happy Samuel's party is from 3-6. So tomorrow, I'll go to church, return home at about 2:45, attend the party, leave again by 6:15, do something fun, and then go out for drinks with model friend. Despite having to work for 3 hours tomorrow on my day off, I think it will still be a pretty good day.

I'll let yall hear all about how they do 5-year-olds' birthday parties in France tomorrow! And if you're lucky will include pictures!!

XOXO,
Mandy

I can see the Eiffel Tower from here!

I met the girl from a suburb of Chicago for lunch. It was a really good lunch. I had an Asian salad with crawfish on it and rice pudding. We talked and got to know each other. She was very cool and very fluent in French. Everyone I meet here is so showing my French skills up. I am still hoping they will come to me soon. Like I'll wake up one day and be totally fluent. Fluent enough to get a taxi home, ask sufficient directions, and order a meal without the waiter automatically talking to me in English. My French is improving, for sure, but I am no where to the point I wish I could be.

After lunch we walked to Trocadero, a beautiful platform-type thing nestled between two amazing museums that overlooks the Eiffel Tower. Though it was not a completely clear day, it was still a pretty sweet view.

I am home now, about to get Princess Gabrielle from school. Then I have to take her home and rush to get Elsa. They are going to the doctor today. Elsa is getting the meningitis shot.  I hope it doesn't totally wipe her out so she won't be cranky. I was asked to take Benjamin to get a hair cut this afternoon as well. His hair is currently cut just like Justin Bieber's, way cool. I know he will be disappointed if they take his Bieber look away, so hopefully I'll be able to speak enough French to let them know to leave the flow. :) God knows he's too shy to speak up himself.  It will be a semi busy afternoon, and I am already pretty tired. I haven't gotten sufficient sleep at night in days. I got asked to go to the Discoteque tonight with my lovely current French infatuation. I will be declining in hopes of hitting the hay early tonight.

Tomorrow I have to babysit the kids at night. I hope we are allowed to watch one of the 4 Star Wars movies Samuel got for his birthday. That would make the job a lot easier, but who knows? I still haven't gotten a feel for when the kids are allowed to watch TV. It's like when the parents are home and don't want to deal with them, they'rer allowed to watch something, but when I'm here, and I don't want to deal with them they are not. No fair.

XOXO,
Mandy

Rendez vous

My night went well. We went to a very French restaurant, it served snails and duck liver and raw beef and everything. Appetizing huh? I got a salad, can't go wrong with some greens on a plate. We drank good wine, and talked alot. My date insisted I spoke French with him since we were in France. The conversations didn't go to far. Good thing I had my French-English dictionary, and a translator on my iTouch. Helped a ton! After dinner, we went for a walk. It's starting to feel like spring in Paris, I can't wait till I don't have to wear a heavy coat every day. Despite the slight language barrier, it was a pretty good date. I will probably be seeing him again, but I'll keep you posted.

Cute huh? So French

Today I got the kids ready for school and took Elsa to creche. The normal everyday things. I have to stay home until the delivery man with produce comes to drop off our groceries. After that, I am taking a girl I met Sunday (shes from the midwest and is in Paris for school) to lunch. I am going to the place Elizabeth de Rostolan took me, if I can find it.

I feel like this blog stinks, and I am sorry I am exhausted.

XOXO,
Mandy

Blogging from an itouch

Had to do it. That is all.

Macaroons

I have live in France now for 2 and a half months now (almost) and I had never had a macaroon. I walked by bakeries marveling at how cute they were, how colorful and dainty, but had not yet tried one. Today while at the bakery getting Samuel's birthday tart and eclairs (his choice of birthday sweets, not mine), I decided to order one. It was heaven. I went the safe route and got a strawberry one, rather than the other crazy colors they had. I do not know why it took me so long to try one. It was melt in your mouth deliciousness.

I have the song -Girls, you are Beautiful, or possibly called Big Girls, you are Beautiful stuck in my head, because Gabrielle keeps singing it to me. So as I ate my sugar-filled macaroon, I hummed it. Irony huh? I get that to Gabrielle I do not look like the typical French stick of a woman, but I still think it is rude she likes to point it out. It must be a French people being straight forward thing. Its a good song, but its like just when she is nice and I begin to like her, she does something like that or something so bratty and my dislike for her reappears. Sheesh. So totally (or semi) unrelated but thats me, I could ramble for days. Enjoy.

To wrap it up, if and when you all come to France (which I know you all will from reading how amazing it is from this blog, HA!) get a macaroon. They are yummy. And don't be discouraged as you bite into the heaven in the form of a little round pastry by 9 year old brats thinking you are not so beautiful. Eat, Love, Laugh, and Enjoy Life my friends.

XOXO,
Mandy


P.S. - I went to Picard today. Picard is a store that only sells frozen food. I bought fish to eat on Friday's during lent. I sent J-F a sarcastic text asking if I was allowed to keep it in the freezer, though I would not write my name on it. I know I am passive-aggressive, which is not a good trait, but doing snide things such as these, keep me happy. Maybe I should give that up for Lent - try to stop being passive-aggressive. Anyways, he said yes :) which is good, because frozen fish would not last 40 days in a drawer in my bathroom

Samuel is 5 years old!!!

It seems like just yesterday that that little bugger was 4. Because it was. I hope he takes to being 5, and stops being such a pain all the time. I am happy I am not a parent, because I can say Samuel is my favorite. I hope that doesn't make me a bad au pair either. :) This morning I woke up at 6:30 am, before the sun to make American Pancakes. You know, the ones thicker than a piece of paper. I did it just like my mom would do if it was my birthday, a stack of pancakes for the birthday boy, with a candle and all. It was great fun. They don't use baking powder or baking soda in France, and all the family had was yeast, so they turned out rather heavy. A hearty breakfast for the big birthday boy. I am excited for him to open my present. I got him a day of the year calender that will teach him English sayings, and a Star Wars, Clone Wars DVD. I think he will be more interested in the DVD, but I think the calender is pretty sweet.

I got to take Elsa to creche today, so I got to dress her. Her closet is nothing like Mirabelle's (a girl I watch back in the States). No pink amazing dresses and outfits and loads of matching bows, but I made do. On the days I dress her, I make sure she is in tons of pink, as every little princess should be. I got her to creche and came home. I was greeted with the present of cleaning all the dishes in the kitchen from my breakfast party. The repairman is coming today, I really hope he can fix the dishwasher  and restore my favorite activity (doing dishes avec the dish washer). Did you like how I slipped a little French in there, avec = with. Mandy's lesson of the day.

Today I am just going to hang out. The sun has started coming out in Paris and the trees are starting to bud! I am so happy! It is almost spring.

I got asked to dinner for tonight by a French model. Pretty sweet huh? Not as perfect as my last infatuation with the Frenchman who had a great job and amazing hobbies and just happened to look like a model, but still pretty cool. One day I might be able to tell my kids, I once lived in Paris and dated a French model. ;) I'll keep you all posted on how that goes!

XOXO,
Mandy

I do not envy Josephine

Today I got the boys from school for the first time since Josephine has been sick. Most would think it was an easy feat, but no. I left way early to go to a school in Paris I have never been before. I stopped on the way and bought Samuel his birthday presents for tomorrow.  I also went to a bakery to get them a snack in hopes that a chocolatey goodness pastry would be a good bribing tool. Don't get me wrong, it was, but only for the 4 minutes it took for them each to eat it. I had to try and not lose Samuel or Benjamin. Benjamin walks slower than a turtle in the winter, and Samuel, the little devil, runs and hides and runs and hides. Blah. I got them home in 1 piece, but I am exhausted and never want to do that again.

XOXO,
 Mandy

Taxi Troubles

I went to the Irish Pub after I got off last night. It was packed for the Barcelona match, like super packed. I got pushed into 2 men sitting at the bar.  They helped me order, and I ended spending the rest of my time there with them and their friends. They all worked at the restaurant right around the corner. They were very nice and unlike anyone else I've met.  Despite their ability to speak English, they tried to make me speak French. If I met more people like that, I would be way more fluent than I am now. One of the men took a particular interest in me, so I got free drinks, because he said "Parisian men buy women drinks". On my salary, I was not going to complain. At the end of the night he pulled the whole "please kiss me, I have never kissed an American before" tactic. Had this been 3 and a half years ago, I would have fell for that one, but that is how I met my last boyfriend, and I am doing everything I can to not have a repeat of that relationship. We parted ways before the bar closed, and promised to go out again Friday, a planned encounter this time. The metro was closed, so I took a taxi home.

In the taxi, I had to pull out all my tricks for trying to tell him where I lived. This was the first time I actually got dropped off in front of my house, instead of blocks and blocks away.  At this house, if the key is pushed in on the inside, then your key on the outside won't work. Twice now I have had to wake S and J-F up to get inside the house, only because they took the key to the door to my room that leads to the outside away. Therefore, I do not feel bad, and if they cared, they would give me back my key. I went to my room, and began the mad search for my phone. It was gone, I must have left it in the taxi. I called it over and over again, with no answer. I was freaking out because I had just spent 100 Euro to recharge it. I called my parents and had no idea what to do. Just before I was about to give up and go to sleep, I called my cell again, and the taxi man answered!!!! yay! He brought back my phone. Who would have ever thought I would love a 2nd generation non-camera nokia phone so much.

Today Gabrielle is off school. I have to get the boys from school for the first time today, and go to FNAC to get Samuel a birthday present. His birthday is tomorrow. I am getting him that animated Star Wars movie. Considering my income, that's a pretty sweet gift.

Other than that, no plans for today. Josephine is back, praise God! And I won't be eating because since it is Ash Wednesday. I won't have time to make it to mass, I really wish I could go. Maybe I'll just watch the service at Notre Dame online while I force Gabi to do her homework.

XOXO,
Mandy

P.S.- My little sister is giving up talking for Lent, something I could never do. I can't think of what to give up. I don't eat sweets as it is. I am at the mercy of the family for food. I don't swear from working with kids all day. So I don't know what to sacrifice. Comment what you are giving up to help me with ideas.

Mardi Gras, like any other Tuesday.

Tuesdays are the worst. The kids have tons of activities and we have to go, go, go to get them from school. This morning all but Samuel woke up easily. They went to bed after 10, so I am impressed 2/3 of them got up. Gabrielle was excited it was Mardi Gras. I think Mardi Gras in France is like Halloween for kids in the states, because she wore a 'Halloween' costume to school. The boys did not because they go to a Jewish Hebrew school. Elsa even dressed up for today.

My days are still relaxing because I haven't started taking my French courses yet. I went back to bed after they were off to school. How nice :). And apparently it is 'Woman's Day' today, so I keep getting wished a good day from my European friends. I think the whole thing is cute, though in America, I think we consider every day to be 'Woman's Day'. I am more excited it's Mardi Gras, unless there is some deal for women at the bars tonight, then I'm all game.

Today I have to get Gabrielle from school, rush her home, hope someone else is here to watch her, then run off and get Elsa. By the time I return, the piano teacher and Hebrew teacher will be here for the older kids' lessons. I always have to think of ways to keep Samuel from disturbing the lessons, which he loves to do. My favorite is when he gets the bright idea to run into the piano room during lessons and bang on it. Neither I nor the instructor seem to grasp how amazing he thinks it is. Maybe I'll take him out of the house today to keep the casualties to a minimum.

Josephine just walked in looking awful. She says she is sick. I feel so bad.  Not only is Tuesday the worst day to get sick in this family, but if she decides to go home, I don't think I can do it without her.

Tonight I am going out to find Mardi Gras festivities! I'll probably just go to the Irish Pub where the foreign business men speak English. Happy Mardi Gras everyone!

XOXO,
Mandy

Smelly Girl, Smelly Girl What are they Feeding you?

I feel like a bad parent, one without kids. My best days are when I'm not working. I am learning to love the kids, especially the ones who are rather difficult to love, but my best days are still my off days. It would be amazing, if I started having really great days when working too. I guess that will just take some more time.

I've started trying different things when waking the kids up in the morning to minimize the yelling and resistance to waking up. I remember when I was young my mum or pops would go into my room and turn on the light, then leave and return 10 minutes later to get me out of bed. I tried that today. I turned on the lights at 7:15, and went back to my room, then cam back in 10 minutes and sang my wake-up song. It worked well on the boys. There was no screaming from Samuel and he got up. Benjamin too went to breakfast when I told him to. It's Gabrielle who is trouble. She always says, "No! I want to sleep." When I tell her that is not possible, even if she stays home from school, because I am annoying and won't let her sleep regardless. She is not a morning person, and it affects everybody else's moods. Life would be so much easier if she would just do what she was told.

I have started thinking of ways to get them to listen to me. They don't do it because they are obedient kids, but they would do it for rewards. I am thinking of making a chart, where they put stickers if they obey, and when they get a certain number I will take the one who did so to do something fun. It seems very kindergarden to me, so if yall have other ideas, let me know!

This morning Sandrine asked me to take Elsa to creche (daycare) because she had something to do. I love being alone with Elsa in the morning. She is so cuddly and sweet, and even more so today because she is sick. I dressed her in pink from head to toe, and put a bow in her hair. I wish I could have her alone every morning, she brightens my days. After breakfast, an awful smell filled the kitchen. I asked her, "Elsa, tu ca-ca?" And she just laughed. I went to change her diaper. In short, I don't know how such a gross thing could come out of such a small and cute little girl like her. I have a weak stomach and nearly threw-up.  Since I wasn't home all of yesterday, I wonder what they fed her to produce such results. Yuck-yuck.

Today I am just going to relax and read. I may even indulge myself and take a nap. What a life, I know! :) Hope everyone out there has an amazing day.

XOXO,
Mandy

W.o.W day (just like the game)

It is Sunday and the first full day I have had off in weeks.  I woke up bright and early today, showered and was out of the house by 9:30. I got to the metro station Charles de Gaule - Etoile (as in star) 45 minutes before I was set to meet fellow au pairs for church, so I had breakfast. I ate quickly, and then met Christina and another au pair from New Zealand at 10:30. We went to off to church. The au pair from New Zealand also is young, like me, and has 4 kids to look after as well. Her kids are more manageable, but the mom is awful. Church was fun. It was very contemporary, lots of singing like FUMCR youth group. It was bilingual and very young. The service was moving, and the young community there was amazing so I will be going back. I want to get involved in their young person programs to meet more people in Paris too.

After church we went to Subway (very American, I know). It even smelled like the Subways back home. Then Christina and I went to the Louvre, after stopping at a Starbucks. Also very American :). It was a quick trip to the Louvre, saw the Mona Lisa and Napoleon's apartments. It got me over the hump of being scared to tackle the Louvre, so I will be going back.

oh well hey there Mona

can I fit this in my room? -Louvre

dinner party anyone?

Christina and I parted ways and I went to the movies. I saw True Grit in English and loved it. The movie got out at about 9 pm so I went to have dinner at Chez Clement. I call it the Chili's of Paris, because they are everywhere. Mum and I ate there twice in the week she was here. They told me to sit and wait for a table when I got there, though it was not crowded at all. I am happy they did. While waiting I eavesdropped on a girl's conversation on the phone. She was speaking English, so I asked here where she was from. She too was from the States, Georgia to be exact. She was awesome and asked if I'd like to eat with here (way cool, and only something someone with Southern charm and class would do). She was amazing, here for business. She was a World of Warcraft promoter, meaning she went to conventions with the cool drab and everything. It was great company. She used to be a Disney Princess at Disneyland, but now was employed by W.o.W to attend conventions dressed as a dragon (too cool, I know). I know all you W.o.W fans will be jealous of my cool encounter. She was sweet. It is crazy that I came all the way to Paris and most of my friends have turned out to be Southerners from back in the States. Says something about how amazing people from the Southern United States are. In my opinion, the best people on Earth. I feel crazy for taking my chances and going to school in Philly now, when all (or most) of the great people in this world live in the South.

So cool!

To sum it all up, today was perfect. Probably the best day I have had in France thus far (not counting the time when I wasn't working and instead just being a tourist with my mom). Mad-Mad, I am so excited for you to come, I have lots of cool places to show you.  I could probably write about my day for hours, but most of you probably won't read a novel long blog. I feel like I am not doing my day justice, or the people in it that made it so amazing, but it was honestly a great, great day.

XOXO,
Mandy

Kitchen Worker

Last night Shabbat didn't go as bad as usual. The kids were relatively well-behaved. After dinner, I cleaned up since I have a found a new love for doing dishes. I went out after dinner to meet a friend. I didn't stay long and was home by midnight. I read for about an hour and went to sleep. I am now reading the sequel to Pillars of the Earth called World Without End. Very good. I recommend it for anyone looking for a LONG, LONG read.

This morning I woke up and the older 2 kids had tutoring. Samuel was in the mood to do everything possible to make Elsa scream and scream and scream. Sandrine asked me to cook lunch for the family. I spent all morning cutting veggies to make fried rice. It turned out good though I put too much egg in it. Benjamin said he adored my lunch, and Gabi was the only one who didn't like it. She said, "I am ashamed, but I do not like the lunch you made," and I said, "That's fine, don't eat it." At least she was nice while saying she didn't like it. I did the dishes after lunch, and Elsa was put down for a nap. Benjamin went to a friend's, and Gabrielle is at tennis. I figure Sandrine and J-F can handle Samuel for a bit, so I am relaxing and reading in my room. I think I will have a boring night in tonight, but tomorrow, for my day off, I am meeting my au pair friends for church. SO EXCITED!

XOXO,
Mandy

Gabrielle's Approval

On the walk home from school. Gabrielle was disgusted I liked Justin Beiber. She said he was a girl. Then she asked me if I liked Michael Jackson and Shakeria, haha she adores both.. strange little French girl. She said she approved of my redecorating the room, how sweet. She also said she liked how I cleaned it. I think she was only being nice because I brought her chocolate and the french equivalent of kool-aid for snack. When you give her what she wants, she is not so bad. That must be why her parents give into her every whim.

Then I went grocery shopping and got Elsa from school. At Cheche (daycare) her coat was no where to be found. I know if I left without it, the messenger (me) would take the criticism. I called Sandrine, and she said it should be there (well no duh), but it wasn't on Elsa's coat rack or in her her drawer. I tried to speak with the workers who said, maybe it is in her stroller. Well Elsa goes on Sandrine's bike to creche, and I took the stroller so I already knew it was not there. We searched and searched. I had the impression everyone thought it was my fault it was gone, after 15 minutes of looking, it was in another child's drawer. Yikes, thank God for my ability to find it.

Tonight is Shabbat Shalom. Always a headache because the kids don't eat until after 8. I am trying to make plans so I don't have to stay for the scream filled dinner. So if anyone in Paris is free for dinner, take me out.

XOXO,
Mandy

well hello there Princess?

I didn't have to walk to get any kids from school yesterday. Their g-maw came to the rescue and drove and picked them up. How nice! Gabi stayed at school until 7 then went to dance, so it was quieter without her here. I took the liberty while she was out to take down the posters of kitties, dogs, and dolphins that cover the walls in my room and move them to what I am designating at Gabi's corner of the room while I am here. I replaced them with pictures of my family, friends, and my favorite places in Paris. When she sees the change, she may freak, but hey, I did what she demanded and cleaned my room. haha.

After dinner I started to make Samuel's birthday invitations. Sandrine said just to use the left over pirate invitations or mix match what they had, but little does she know, I live for projects like making invitations. I decided on making them in the shape of the Superman S made in paper of his favorite colors. Thankfully he only wants to invite 6 friends, so it only took an hour. He loved them, and Sandrine loved them, she said everyone will be shocked at how fancy his invites are. Great compliment. J-F told me he wanted to give them out at school tomorrow so he wrote out what I needed to print out and glue to the back. I went to the computer where Gabi was sitting with Sandrine standing next to her. It was already 9:30 and I wasn't going to stay up all night making invites, so I nicely said to Gabi, "May I use the computer real quick to print out stuff for Samuel's invites?" She said no! No, no, no, sorry but no. I just stared at her, with Sandrine there next to her saying nothing.  I walked to my room, breathed and came back with the supplies for someone else to finish the invites. I handed it off to Sandrine and said, I do not want to be up all night working on these, so here are scissors and glue for when you print them out. I went to my room, closed my door and began to read. Before long J-F was at my door asking about the invites. I said Gabrielle would not let me use the computer to finish them so you or Sandrine can when she decides to get off. He just said O.K. Not my kid not my problem.

When I had just turned my light off to go to sleep at 10:15, my door opens. It was Gabrielle taking the liberty to rummage about looking for who knows what. I said aren't you suppose to be asleep, and I asked you to knock before coming in my room. She said nothing and continued to look about. These kids radiate respect for me huh?

This morning, Samuel got himself dressed, and Benjamin was upstairs eating before I had even gotten up. Gabi was the only problem. She did not want to get up, then when she got up, she did not want to eat. She sat at the table with her iPod on and a book in her hands, a big no-no to J-F. Once Sandrine was in the kitchen I decided I wasn't going to deal with her (Gabi's) attitude so I went about my way doing the dishes the parents left from dinner. And attending to the other kids.  Sandrine let her do what she wanted.

Daddy, you will think this is crazy... my favorite part about this job is doing dishes. It is the only thing I can do here that doesn't involve talking to these undisciplined kids. I swear, I must load and unload the dishwasher at least 2 or 3 times a day, and I hand wash pots in between. Getting me ready for the restaurant world.. maybe?

Tonight I get to go grocery shopping before getting Elsa from creche. And before that I have to get Gabi. I am bringing a chocolate bar for her snack. Hopefully that will make her shut up and be manageable for the afternoon.  Her mom told me to give her the chocolate bar for snack.  Oy! 

XOXO,
Mandy

Alone time.

I am happy to say that since I got paid on Tuesday, I haven't spent a dime. I know I really have to start saving if I do indeed want to stay in Paris (LIVING ALONE) for culinary school. I have even started searching the internet for inexpensive furnished flats.

J-F came home last night from his business trip. I could tell he and the kids were talking about me at dinner. I play that I know was less French than I do, and I heard the French word for peanut butter. Haha the pettiness cracks me up. Anyways, after dinner, Sandrine came home so they together put the kids to bed. At 10, they were all finally asleep, and I knew what awaited me in the morning.

I was right.  In the morning the kids were exhausted and took that exhaustion out on me. Lucky me huh? But then they were off to school, off to be some poor teacher's problem. I was on my own. I took a shower and watched Match Point - good movie, but very predictable. Then I cooked myself some lunch. I made leek, potato, onion, zucchini pureed soup. Delicious. Accompanied by a piece of baguette, as a good Frenchman would do.

Kids are all gone till about 4:30 today. :)))))

XOXO,
Mandy

ITS JUST PEANUT BUTTER!!!!!!

On the walk to take Gabrielle to yoga, she said, if you can eat peanut butter, than I should be allowed to eat chocolate after school, then she said both chocolate and peanut butter make you, as she puffed up her cheeks and widened her arms to say they make you fat. I said first off, I am an adult, so I can eat as I please. And chocolate has close to no nutritional value, while peanut butter is full of protein (and yes fat). I wanted to scream. This is a culture where they eat nutella by the spoon full, and slab butter on everything. They even put sugar on fruit before they eat it, and they think peanut butter is some forbidden food?! The obesity problem in America is not because of peanut butter. It is because of processed foods, big portions, and hormones. For some reason the French think it is because of peanut butter. She then went on to say, she wants me to pick up the stuff in "her room". I replied for the time being, it is my room, and she has no place to tell me to pick it up. These kids have never picked up a thing in their lives. I also told her, that in 6 or so weeks, it would be her room again, trying to tell her that she was impossible to work with. She didn't understand that, but I feel like I am warming up to leave.

So correct me if I am wrong, is peanut butter really worse for you than nutella, multiple chocolate bars, butter on everything, and spoons of sugar? I'm really dying to know.

XOXO,
Mandy

Hmmmm.

Yesterday, the part when I wasn't working, was a blast. I met Lucy, an au pair from Nancy (you should all check out her blog too) at Tuileries. Tuileries is becoming my favorite place.  After all, it was my 4th time there in the short 4 weeks I have been here. We walked through the park and found a reasonably priced restaurant. I got a cheese and fruit salad and we shared wine. It was delicious.

Lucy and Me!

After lunch, we decided to go to Sacre-cours. I have no idea if I spelled that right, but I am too lazy to google it at the moment. It translates to sacred heart, if that helps. Little did I know, you have to walk up like A MILLION stairs to get there, no exaggeration. Helped to burn off the wine at least though. The view was worth it, and the church was magnificent. It was cloudy, but you could still make out the outlines of all of Paris' sites from up there. Lucy and I parted ways, she had to catch a train home, and I had to get the wonderful Gabrielle from school. 

I went to get Gabrielle from school on the scooter to minimize her complaining. I didn't bring a snack this time because last time I did, and she didn't want it. She asked for her snack, with a kit-kat already in her hand. I said I didn't bring one, due to home being 7 minutes away, but I offered her a piece of gum. Then she expected me to run along side her on the scooter, to get home quicker. To those of you who know me, I am no runner, and if being chased by a hungry lion, I would probably not even try. On top of that I got my workout in earlier in the day by all those dang stairs. She tried to pull the run because I must go P-P, and I replied, she was no princess, in fact she was only a little girl, and the sooner she learned her place, the easier her life would be. She's learning a lot more English these days and I think she got the gist. But her face did light up when I said princess. I think this child really thinks she is a princess and everyone in her life should do exactly what she says when she says it. I can't blame her though. It's just the way she's been raised.

So, we got home. She was in no hurry to P-P, but rather to try and grab 2 full sized chocolate bars from the cabinet. The French have cabinets full of chocolates and cookies, I am starting to find out. How the hell do they stay so tiny?!? But I told her there was no way that on my watch, would I allow a little girl to eat 2 chocolate bars for an after school snack. Besides she already ate a kit-kat on the way home. She yelled "but my mom says yes." I simply said but I say no, and while your mom is not here what I say goes. I offered her a sandwich, yogurt, fruit, even 2 cookies in exchange. She would not hear of it. She ran to the phone and frantically started dialing numbers. After 10 minutes of trying to call her mom with fail, she gave up, and again tried to grab chocolate bars. I again said there is no way you are eating that with me watching you. Finally when she saw I really wasn't going to give in to her (like she's used to) she agreed to eat a sandwich. She even helped get all of the stuff out to make it. If I had a month alone with these children, things could really turn around, but how it stands now, I am at the bottom and I have no say, no respect, no anything. 

After Josephine got home with the boys, I went to get Elsa from school. We got home and Samuel was relatively well behaved. I walked downstairs to see what he was up to, and he was bathing himself without being asked.  I thought it showed great fortitude and growth on his part, so I opened the door to hear if he needed me and let him be. He got dressed and asked me to play with him. Just as we were going into Elsa's room to play, Josephine came down seeing Samuel in PJ's and promptly told him to get back in the bath, so she could do it. I realize a 4 year olds quality of bathing himself probably isn't up to par with her standards, but I don't see why, for one night, she could just be happy that he did something by himself, and during the process wasn't a terror. He cried during the whole second bath. 

We had spaghetti for dinner, and all was good. Sandrine's mum came over because J-F is out of town. She decided to stay for bedtime to help out as well. There was a blow up last night at bedtime. While Sandrine was playing with Elsa, her mum helping Benjamin with homework, I was to entertain a tired Samuel. He is obsessed with Bakugan, and always wants to watch videos on line and cut out pictures. So, I turned on the computer for him to find and print out a picture of his beloved Bakugan. We had just printed one when Gabrielle who believes she is entitled to everything decided to rip the mouse from my hands and kick Samuel out of the seat. I told her she was a rude little girl, but I am not really allowed to protest, when the parents are home.  Their kids, especially Gabi, get what they want. Well somehow that prompted Benjamin to get up from doing homework, and Samuel started to scream. I switched positions with Sandrine, so she could deal with her children, and I played with Elsa. The screaming and fighting got out of hand very quickly, and the kids were all put in their beds. They cried forever, but I wasn't going to console them for being rotten. They eventually cried themselves to sleep. I think it was the earliest they have ever gone to bed. 9 or so. You could tell they were rested this morning and there was no crying and saying I don't want to get up. Hopefully this can be a testament of how these kids need more structure.

After I got the kids ready for school today, I went to my room to read. Gabi doesn't have school on Wednesdays, and the second her mom left (though Josephine is here), she walked into my room with posters and tape, trying to redecorate. I asked her to please wait until after I was gone to do that, because for the time being it was my room, and she said no it's not, it is my room, only your bed to sleep at night. I know she isn't naive to think of it that way, she was told that by, I am assuming, J-F. The living situation here is becoming worse than a dorm room, because at least then I would have at least half a room to myself, but no. Not here. And I get paid so crappy because room and board is suppose to be part of it. Well my room is a bed in a little girl's room, who along with her father, think they are entitled to go and rummage as they please. As for board, it is working out ok, though I did ask for hand soap for my bathroom 2 weeks ago and have yet to see it. 

That is all

XOXO,

Mandy

Met Fellow Au Pairs

YAY. I did it mums, I met other au pairs. They are both from Texas as well. One is from Houston and graduated from UNT in 09, and the other is from Fort Worth, but her family moved to Michigan. They are both amazing and very nice. I am jealous of both of their jobs as well. Why is it that I keep getting families with 4 kids? Tres beacoup les enfants. They live outside of Paris, on the RER A, last stop St. Germain, if that means anything to any of you. They dropped me off at the train station at midnight, just in time to make the last RER back to Paris at 12:17.  I got to La Defense but just missed the Metro 1. On top of that I lost my navigopass, so I was stuck in the train station because I need it to get out, and there was not a person in sight. I was a rebel and hopped over the bar to get out. Then I took the discouraged mile or so walk back home. I am quite upset I lost my navigopass, in the RER I assume, but today, the 1st of March I had to recharge it anyway, so I only lost 5 bucks and a horrid picture of me. Better luck next time. :)

Today I am meeting another au pair who is visiting Paris for the day. I am very excited.

Oh yeah, the 2 au pair girls from Texas invited me to church with them this Sunday. I am pretty sure it is not Catholic, but after reading almost half of the book Lois sent me (Joshua) I don't mind. It is a church that sounds like a lot of young people go to. I am excited to meet people there. :) Mum you would be so proud.

XOXO,
Mandy