A stroll in Valbonne

 

 

My photography

Our family

Our sorroundings 

Valbonne, France

2013

Puppet Show

Where is Everyone?

Seriously MUM! Where is everyone?

Ok, we are all here now, when is it going to start?

Cha Chán!

Not sure I like this...

Well, may be I do...

But why everyone is eating around me???

Mamaaaaaaaa!!!!!

This is how pretty much went the Puppet show. We arrived only 10 minutes before the show but 10 minutes in a 2 year old boy seemed like eternity. Still, Alan waited patiently till the show started, in French of course! Quite a lot of talking but he seemed to be entertained. The real problem started when every parent started giving cookies and junk food to the children.

I didn't have any food as we were coming from the playground when we saw the street puppet show and we decided to join in. Also it was close to dinner time and I really didn't want Alan to eat biscuits before dinner. Anyway, he end up asking me to go the back road with me as it was pretty painful for him to see all the other kids eating, a bit upset but without crying he finished watching the show intensely....

with mama

Saturday 13th July 2013

Opio , France

Tour de France

ALAN Y YO NO NOS PERDEMOS NADA!

Ayer fuimos a ver el quinto trecho de los 100 años de Tour de France (la famosa carrera ciclista)

Pasaba a 2 km de casa así que no nos podíamos perder la oportunidad. Llegamos 20 minutos antes y conseguimos un sitio perfecto justo al lado del Sr Gendarme. Eramos toda gente local y algún turista así que mucho más bonito que ir a la largada donde estaba lleno, llenito de turistas y era casi imposible de ver con un nene de dos años.

Este era el sitio donde esperábamos, una rotonda con olivo y lavanda incluida

Los ciclistas llegarían a esta rotonda luego de un repecho brutal desde la ciudad de Opio, así que pensé era elsitio ideal para que vinieran un pelín más lento y así verlos mejor.

 Estos niños vinieron bien equipados, son de Eslovaquia y su papa los bendice antes del arribo de los ciclistas.

Y aquí comienzan a llegar: este es el primer hombre que llega

seguido por éste

y éstos pegaditos detrás 

8 minutos separan a los primeros del 'pelotón' 

En los cuales nos deleitamos con los coches llenos de bicicletas de repuestos. A cual más linda! De colores preciosos y muy modernas.

Y para terminar e irnos a casa contentos: baguette para todo el mundo. Me pareció muy cómico de ver a los locales con su pan bajo el brazo. Los uruguayos iríamos con mate ;-)

A la prochain!

Eliana 

Parc Phoenix

Hace tiempo que quiero llevar a Alan a este parque y finalmente el fin de semana pudimos hacerlo! Está muy cerca en coche desde casa y la verdad es que se va a convertir en un favorito porque Alan sencillamente adora a los animales. Estas fotos son del acuario que fue una de las cosas que descubrió por primera vez, pero hay otras áreas con otro tipo de animales que ya les mostraré más adelante para no aburrir.

  

Y esta última foto, para mi, no tiene precio!

No es lo bueno de la foto, es la cara de sorpresa de Alan, 

me imagino en su mente preguntándose:

mamá: es esto de verdad?

Espero que estes disfrutando la semana, nosotros sobrellevando un resfriado de esos feos llenos de catarro y fiebre. Ojalá sea uno de los últimos! Que llegue la primavera YA!!!

BESOS,

Eliana

all photos belong to me.

Peek a boo!!

I am not an expert mum but some friends have asked me about the way and games we play with Alan. Sometimes we assume that everyone knows but is not always the case. I had to learn soooo many things and new games! Now is my turn to share them. Sorry is not in Spanish today but it is a game that Alan and I play in English. 

PEEK A BOO RHYME

Peek a boo, Peek a boo,

Peek a boo, I see you.

Where are you, where are you?

I see you, PEEK A BOO!

Having an English baby has forced me to play and learn some English traditions, nursery rhymes and songs: Peek a Boo is one of them.

You can see the lyrics above although it defers along families and generations but the general idea is the same. Playing this game helps to develop understanding that objects exists even when you can't see them. This is a fascinating fact for a baby. From about birth to two years of age, babies don't understand this concept of object permanence.

It is a great help to make them understand that even if they can't see mom or dad in the next door room, they are still there.

Also great for vision and bonding and mostly a sense of FUN. Babies absolutely love this game!!!

In Uruguay we also play to cover our eyes but there is no song to sing along so I prefer Peek a Boo version. You can start playing this game from around 3 months old. It can be play in different ways:

* You can hide your face behind your fingers, move your hands and say Peek a BOO!

* You can place your hands in front of your baby's eyes, then remove your hands and say Peek a BOO!

When your baby is older you can:

* Peek around the corner of a piece of furniture, behind a door or a book (Alan'a fave)

* You can also use a piece of cloth that covers your face, your baby will pull it and find you as you say Peek a BOO! I don't like this way because I would be afraid that baby wants to copy me later in bed and try to do the same perhaps with his blanket or baby sheet. But this is just my personal preference regarding my fears. 

When your baby is older than 8 months old he/she will probably want to cover your face or his/her face.

As well there are many books that will be more interesting to play this game. Alan two favourites are:

Peek-a WHO? (2000) by Nina Laden

Alan loves the way I read it, making all the funny noises

MOOOOOOOOOOOO or CHOOO-CHOOO 

then he turns the page and discovers the COW or the TRAIN ;-)

and so on!

At this age (21 months) the fact that he has the job to turn the page also helps to understand sharing and the idea of take turns, We are sharing the book by him turning the pages and me reading it. It may sound obvious but not always is, this is the first steps to learn for happy playing with us and other kids.

The second favourite is Peepo Teddy from the collection of Baby Touch written by Justine Smith and illustrated by Fiona Land.  Published by Ladybird Books ltd

It is about where all friendly faces hide, daddy, bunny, etc.

This one has flaps that Alan lifts and finds a new friend under each one. At the end, under the last flap there is a mirror.  

Before he lifts the flap the books goes:

Here's a Rocket, who's under here?

He opens the flap and he sees his reflection and I say 

Peek a YOUUU!!!!

If you are into Iphone & iPad Ladybird has this two beautiful apps among others for babies and young toddlers

PEEKABOO
HAPPY BABIES


Look at the drawings!! And the music is super sweet!!!

Happy Babies

 

Peekaboo

I hope this is not a boring too long post. If anybody needs some help in Spanish or finding a book, just let me know. I will be soooo happy to help. This ones are just a couple but we are big fan of books, we have many more ;-)

*** Si alguien quiere ayuda o info en español por favor decírmelo y les ayudo. Este post va en inglés justamente para los papás bilingües o con niños que estén introduciéndose al inglés.

Love, Eliana & Alan

Photos via

toysr us

ladybird uk

A Little clown

Carnaval en Francia es muy distinto al que celebramos en Uruguay (rio style).

En la escuelita de Alan pidieron a las mamás que les llevásemos con un disfraz y así celebrar con una pequeña merienda. A la hora de elegir, mi prioridad número uno es la comodidad ante todo. A esta edad creo que es fundamental. En Octubre cuando buscaba ideas e inspiración para Halloween vi éste y me enamoré. Carnaval fue la excusa perfecta para ponerlo en ejecución. Tiene varias variantes porque al Alan ser todavía muy pequeño, preferí utilizar telas y no papel como lo indicaba el original. 

El resultado nos encantó, de hecho Alan pide ponérselo cuando lo ve.

Me encanta su cara de serio en esta foto. Es que no le gustan los sombreros!!

Como no tuvo aceptación, no lo obligamos y lo utilizé yo ;-)

Y mi favorita sin lugar a dudas es ésta:

Os gusto?

Si tenéis alguna duda en cuanto al traje solo tenéis que preguntar, y os cuento encantada!

FELIZ MIÉRCOLES

Eliana

x

photo credits,

all photos belong to me

please don't use without permission

thanks for understanding

Inspiration clown costume de Oh Happy Day