Tuesday 29 April 2014

Finally ...

Posted by Rosie

... the boys are on their Easter (?) holidays!

In France, both the Spring half term and Easter holidays are spread out over 4 weeks.  At both February/March and Easter schools get 2 weeks off but 1/3 of the country get weeks 1 and 2, the next third gets weeks 2 and 3 and the final third gets weeks 3 and 4.  They rotate round and this year Normandy is on the late one.  We think the logic behind it is to extend the time school children can go skiing which is a large part of the French economy in mountainous areas. 

So whilst most of the UK is, I suspect, back at school Tom and Ben are finally enjoying their well earned freedom!  And as a result, I have hardly seen them.  

Tom the athlete
On Saturday Ben and a friend were enjoying the car rally that came down our road whilst Tom was busy coming fourth in at athletics triathlon event.  On Sunday they had a friend over and today they have been at a birthday party.  In between it has been dodging the rain to go on the trampoline and playing with another friend who I took and brought back from the party they all went to.


The countryside is their playground
It is one of the great things about living here at Eco-Gites of Lenault in rural Normandy that they can head off and the countryside is their playground.  Although we live pretty much in the middle of nowhere they have plenty of friends locally resulting in a steady stream of children heading through the door and helping to keep away those dreaded words "I'm bored".

There is some computer and TV time when tiredness hits or the rain turns from showery to persistent but there are also puzzles to be done (Tom is bravely tackling a 3000 piece old world map), books to be read, games to be played (we may just be addicted to Carcassonne!) and helping the kitchen (thank you for our pancakes this morning Ben!).  There are adventures to be planned and parents to be avoided when those dreaded words of tidy up, homework and bedtime are heard.

Add in to this a trip to England to look forward to and a rugby tour for Ben and I think the boys might well need a holiday to get over the holidays! 

This week then, with no long school hours there is plenty of time for the boys just to be themselves.  For more kid-related fun why not head on over to the Letkidsbekids website and see what other youngsters have been up to recently.


 photo letkidsbekidslogobadge_zps424b7d61.jpg


14 comments :

  1. Looks like a great week, with plenty to keep them busy! But yes, I'm thinking they might need another holiday!

    ReplyDelete
  2. It sounds like a wonderful place to live with lots of opportunities for outdoor play. #letkidsbekids

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are right Louisa - so much outdoor space and things to do.

      Delete
  3. Looks like they have started their holidays with lots of fun. It sounds like a great place to be as a kid.
    Thanks for linking #LetKidsBeKids

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was one of reasons for moving here - for the boys' childhood.

      Delete
  4. Your kids are well rounded boys =) #letkids bekids

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love reading about your adventures and life in Normandy! Looks like they're enjoying the hols! #letkidsbekids

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Ciara and they certainly are having fun!

      Delete
  6. Thank you Piggy - I had a quick look at your blog and I think we have a lot in common!

    ReplyDelete
  7. A wonderful place for having childhood adventures and creating some lasting memories. It sounds like the boys are having a very active holiday - no time for boredom! Thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sounds like a perfect holiday. I'm impressed by your son's patience in completing a 3000 piece puzzle!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Glad they are having lots of fun on their holidays, getting out and about too.

    ReplyDelete

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.