Fun French Facts ~ Les Faits français amusants

While we have had our French student in February and now again in August. I have noticed certain interesting things about our friends the French. So, in honor of our friend Manon and the entire nation of France, I will share some of things I have learned. Maybe this could be considered a "cultural lesson"!

10. French teenagers are very similar to American teenagers, they would prefer to stay up until 3:00am and sleep in until noon. And also prefer to constantly interacting with some form of electronic device.

9. Beware of French teenagers in large groups. French teens highly enjoy music (and know all the words, maybe not the meaning!) such as Elvis and Greese. And in large groups or just more than one, if a Greese song comes on, the French will all break in to singing voices... WITH dance moves!! WOW.

8. In France you cannot buy white eggs, only brown.

7. Many French DO NOT like Mexican food. They are very sensitive to the spiciness. Manon was telling us how spicy her PEPPERONI on her PIZZA was...

6. As far as we can tell in France they do not have corn dogs, green tea, or pop tarts. All that have become quick favorites with our student!!

5. The French have a equally low tolerance as Americans for watching movies over and over and over and over again. Jadon is currently hooked on Veggie Tales, the Ballad of Little Joe. And, has watched it 3 or 4 times since she has been her... ok more like about 7,448 times. She can quote the entire movie. I was teasing her it was her favorite movie, and she started talking to me really fast and loud in French... I think she didn't know how to express her joy in English.

4. In France Peanut Butter is not good, people do not really like it. But they do like American Peanut Butter, personally I think it is all the hydrogenated oil.

3. The French are very serious about Rugby. So never tell a French person that you think people who play Rugby are crazy... even when they are chanting "war songs" and beating their chests like gorillas. They might not be happy about that...

2. If you ever want to eat French food, NEVER ask what you are eating. That is what animal and organ. And I repeat NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER look up the food on Wikapedia. You may find yourself closing your eyes and gagging at the computer... not joking.

1. BEWARE of what the French do eat... and time for the shocking, maybe even disturbing news. Many of us know the french eat snails. And Manon generously brought some to share... the shocking part is Jadon was the first person in our family to ever eat a snail... AND HE LOVED THEM!! We are seeking help for the poor child. David (I was surpised) actually gagged on the first and only one he tried to eat. I ate 3, I was surprised they were not chewy or slimy. One of mine were gritty. It really just tasted like butter and garlic... but still

Jadon eating and enjoying his first snail...

They really are a black/ green color.

She brought these (fake) snail shells from France too, this is what you cook and serve the snails in. She thought it was funny I put them in the dishwasher.

Jadon eating his first corn dog. (I only let him have some of the corn part.)

Manon enjoying her first corn dog.

I am not sure if they are good for eachother!

He is just eating pasta here, I had to include it because he is so stinken' cute!!!

One more thing...

Manon wants to bring something home VERY American... any ideas? We suggested an In and Out shirt and a starbucks mug?????????

L.A. and Hollywood

Our French student Manon at Universal Studios.

In Hollywood, near the Grauman's Chinese Theatre. We were going to see Journey to the Center of the Earth, in 3D! Grauman's Chinese Theatre

Well our French student from February has came back to visit us for 3 weeks! We asked her for five things she would like to do while she is here, the first two were Hollywood and L.A.

Super Baby

Strange things that are often seen around here! There was something even stranger that occured... But I will post that later... Curious? Might even be shocking...!!

Santa Barbara - Zoo

What are they looking at? He is waving at something. In water?Very happy about this water something! A penguin!! And he really liked Jadon and our shadows. We must be like really kind people. The Doctor Doolittle type. Animals just flock to us. OK, I think he thought we were food. But, good food, nonetheless!

Santa Barbara - Beach

Our sun kissed beauty! After our trip to Southern California we took a detour on the way home and went to Santa Barbara for a few days. After SO much work we did to our house, the work that was still staring us in the face, the not feeling good and soooo tiredness... we decided we needed a vacation. A vacation from our renovation! I needed to escape the undoneness for a while. So we spent a few more days away in Santa Barbara. The weather was BEAUTIFUL! I'm pretty sure Santa Barbara is one of the top places to live in Ca, I know why! We had a great time, having fun and relaxing! And, came home with new enthusiasm to finish the work! Success!

Southern California

Jadon enjoying pizza on his Grandma's lap! I do believe he ate over 1 piece at this sitting!

Jadon with his only cousin, Kendra. Don't they look alike? They certainly are the cutest kids I've ever seen! Kendra about to kiss Jadon.Jadon about to kiss Kendra. SO happy to see Daddy! Kisses for the daddy! Looking at his Uncle Kyle.

Congratulations Andrew!!!

After much much much much much etc. blog frustration and many many many many many etc. attempts. This blog post is finished. I have been having mucho problems with blogger. My blogging section usually ends something like this... ahhhhhhhh.

But that aside, he are some pictures from our trip to Southern California we took in June. We got to go to David's brother Andrew's graduation party and graduation. YEAH Andrew! Andrew graduated with his BA degree in Mass Communications and this fall will be at work on his Masters. What a lot of hard work!

And of course we took pictures of the cutest children alive. I don't even believe I am being biased ;) Jadon had a great time visiting with his grandparents, uncles, etc. It is always a blessing to see our family!

You know your a hillbilly when...

I asked David if we looked like hillbillies when we were sitting on our front lawn in lawn chairs watching Jadon in the Sprinkler.  He said no.  Then later Jadon had been out in the sun a long time, and had sunscreen on, but I still didn't want him in the sun that long.  I asked David to go get the umbrella so Jadon could still play, but out of the sun.  So now we are sitting in the front yard, in lawn chairs, with a sprinkler, and umbrella.  David told me, we were now hillbillies. 

UPDATE:

What is going on?  Well we get the keys to our new house on Thursday or Friday.  Then we have full plans to paint the entire house, tear out a full house of carpet and lay about 1500 square feet of laminate flooring, baseboards, & door trim.  (We will post pictures.)  Have we ever done this before?  No, why would that stop us! One thing about us is we never lack ambition :) 

One more thing... we found out that Jadon will be a big brother come January!  We are very excited and thankful!!

Any water he can find

Jadon is in any water he can find.  He doesn't even mind getting his face completely wet.

Jadon loves strawberries