The French clan

I've been trying to keep my posts in a somewhat chronological order, but I'm just too eager to talk about St. Malo and my amazing job here. So we'll get back to my solo Paris adventures next time. 

(Disclaimer: everything in quotes that people say to me has been translated for your benefit. Just assume no one is actually speaking English to me)

When I first arrived in the beautiful city, my host family picked me up and took me straight to the crêperie they own. We ended up eating lunch and three desserts while we sat and got acquainted. Right off the bat I knew I would love them, it was very obvious that is was a good match. 

Mme Caroline is one the sweetest people I've ever met. She is super helpful with the language and eager to accommodate. Actually, I think she is under the impression that I should be eating something at all times.

M Pascal never stops making jokes. Surprisingly, it's him not the boys who is teaching me the most slang. I'm probably learning the equivalent of an embarrassing parent saying "fo shizzle" or something, but at least I'm trying!

And then there are the boys:

Hugo (15) is around the most. He spends a lot of his time learning the guitar or playing video games, but when he emerges from his teenage boy cave he is a lot of fun to hang out with and is very sweet with his little sister. We really bonded when we spent an hour trying to figure out how the stove worked so we could make chicken nuggets. 

Adrien (21) has since left for a trip to Paris, but he was the most energetic and was always offering things for me to do. The first couple days, he took me on several tours of the city, complete with commentary and history lessons. This town is a maze, but he did an amazing job of orienting me!

Nicolas (22) doesn't live with the family, but he visits occasionally. He always comes to me with a new question prepared about American culture that leads to some very interesting conversations. Turns out, there is a French version of Jersey Shore and, even worse, a French version of Snooki.

They have all been incredibly welcoming and I'm lucky to have been placed with such a wonderful family.

And of course, there is the reason I'm here in the first place. I have the privilege of being an au pair for the most adorable little girl, Clara. 

Like most 3 year olds, she was pretty shy when she first met me and stuck close to her mom. Unlike most 3 year olds, it took her maybe five minutes to get over that, and by the end of the day she was calling me her big sister who speaks English. She is at the perfect age when imagination combines with growing intelligence. The first day, when I was pushing her on the swings she shouted "to the sky!" and proceeded to tell me an elaborate story about flying with the birds (and being careful to look both ways so planes don't hit us). I can't wait to share the many stories I will have of my adventures with this smart, creative kid!