Wow three weeks...

I can't believe it's been three weeks since I have last been on here. What a long time, made longer by the fact that I did turn a year older in that period!!
I know I promised a virtual gift opening party for the beautiful gift that I won from ohh la la cadeau but, things have been crazy here. I got Pharyngitis just after receiving the gift and was so sick. I was sure I had that Swine flu. I got better then Keeva had her Enfant Vedette week at school and then both kids got a bad tummy bug so I was, or rather they were, up to their ears in %^*^. Then just when everyone began to feel better I got Mastitis *Ouch*....this was something I thought only happened in the first few weeks of breastfeeding. So more antibiotics....I don't think I have taken so many antibiotics in my entire life as I have since January and I hate taking the damn things....oh well C'est la Vie. I hope to catch you all up on everything, gifts, mothers day, enfeant vedettes, birthday etc., etc., over the next few days and I have so much catching up to do on all of my favorite blogs too. Right now though it's finish the laundry before the boy wakes up.....a tout a l'heure!

J'ai gagne, J'ai gagne.....



I can't believe I get to say that for more than a game of chutes and ladders or The Ladybug Game. I get to say it about the giveaway from A Gift Wrapped Life. I am going to receive a beautiful package from Sande at Oooh Lala - Cadeau. I am absolutely thrilled. I've never won anything.....
Merci bien Sande!!


PS - I promise I'll insert the appropriate accents when I can figure out how to get blogger to allow me

Friday Night is Movie Night.....but what movie???

Every Friday night we have family Movie Night. I go to the movie store, although I have been going to RedBox at our local grocery store as the movies are only $1 a rental. I make popcorn and some candy and make fruit salad, thankfully Keeva loves fruit salad. Keeva sets up the living room, lights some candles (with Daddys help) grabs pillows and blankets, sets out the bowls and glasses and gets comfy.
Unfortunately I am running out of movies for a five year old. I still have to decide which movie to get for tonight. I would like to start broadening what we watch beyond the 'popular' movies....outside the disney and pixar brands. If any of you have any suggestions on good movies that we could get and yes we will accept suggestions of French titles as she can understand them....I can try and Joe pretends to with Keeva offering her translations. So please post or email suggestions as I am stumped for ideas.....

Happy May Day

The first of May in Ireland as in many countries is a Holiday, Labour Day. Although May Day has been celebrated in Ireland since Pagan times. Bonfires were lit in celebration and as a means to banishing the long cold nights of winter. The tradition of lighting these fires is still carried out in the city of LImerick in the South West. I don't believe though it is a tradition that has been carried out since Pagan times but more a tradition that has seen some revival over the years. Another tradition of May day or La Bealtaine, Bealtaine being the Irish word for the month of May that survived up to the early 20th century is the hanging of May Boughs on the doors and windows of houses. May Boughs were commonly branches of Whitethorne bushes which bloom in May and is commonly called the May bush.......a pretty bush with white flowers. I wonder do they grow here in the US?? Note to self find out if Whitethorne grows here.....

Whitethorne

The French on the other hand on the first of May like to present each other with bouquets of Lilly of the Valley. This tradition apparantly started when on May 1st 1561 King Charles IX received a sprig of Lilly of the Valley as a lucky charm. He decided to present a sprig of the same to all the Ladies of the court and at the beginning of the 20th century it become the custom on the 1st of May to present a sprig of Lilly of the Valley as a symbol of springtime and the lady receiving the sprig would give a kiss in return. Today the French give bouquets of this beautiful and fragrant flower as a wish for Health and Happiness. I also believe that some people also hang it secretly on the doors of friends and realtives to wish them health and happiness. What a beautiful tradition....

Lilly of the Valley