Wow, it’s been a long time since we made this big move!  This past weekend we packed 8 suitcases with as many toys and clothes we could to hold us over for 4-6 weeks, and checked into our hotel.  Yesterday the movers came and started boxing up our things.  They will spend 3 days packing and on the 4th day our big container will arrive and take it all to the boat!  I hope that everything arrives on time and without damage, and that these next 4-6 weeks of living out of suitcases won’t be too bad!  See you soon, Greenville.

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I was very surprised, and touched, that Makenna’s teacher and principal offered to have a going away party for her on her last day of school.  They invited me to join, and to read a book in English to the class.  Makenna’s teacher, Stéphane, had a treasure box that he has been putting things in throughout the year and he told Makenna she could choose something from the box as a souvenir.  She chose a mini trophy and he signed it.  The school staff also gave her a card with an origami dress that they had made and signed.  I was then invited to join the class and watch them have chorus with 2 other classes.  It was so sweet hearing them sing in French and it made me so sad that this won’t be the norm for her anymore.  Reese’s teachers aid, Emmanuelle, who was also the teachers aid for Makenna’s class her first year of school, was very upset and even cried because Makenna was in the first class she had worked with and she had watch Makenna and Reese grow over the last 3 years.  She wrote the sweetest note in both of the kids’ notebooks and gave us her address so we could write to her.  The school also asked for our address and said they want us to send them letters and photos and that they will do the same.  Several of Makenna’s friends were really upset, and had given her gifts throughout the week.  Makenna didn’t seem to be phased at all, I think because she has only been focusing on the gifts, attention, and the fun things she has to look forward to in the US.  For me, the last day of school was really tough.  My French friend, Charlotte, and I were crying saying goodbye to each other and I was really sad every time I thought about our daily life here ending.  I’m so happy we decided to send Makenna to the local public school rather than the international school, it gave us a chance to immerse ourselves more into the culture and the local community.  It was overwhelmingly kind and generous of the school staff and fellow parents/students to do everything that they have for us during this last week of school.  We hope to continue talking to our friends via Skype, and hopefully this will also help us with keeping our French.  Merci à l’école maternelle Aristide Briand!!

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Makenna’s friend’s dad hosted a little party, or goûter, at his house with some of her friends from school to say goodbye.  The girls had so much fun dressing up, painting their faces, having lots of desserts and playing the drums.  They gave Makenna a few small gifts for her to remember them by, as well as a cute poem.  I was so touched that they had this party for Makenna, and that her friends were genuinely sad that she would soon be leaving.

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With this weekend being the last time a group of our friends would be able to get together before we move, our Canadian friends suggested celebrating an early Canadian Thanksgiving.  Katie and Steve hosted, and they definitely know how to host a great party.  They made delicious poutine, held a chip tasting contest (where the prize was a plastic deer head), and had a Canadian trivia contest.  We all dressed in flannel or the infamous “weekend shirts” (denim shirts) that the Cooks like to wear.  One of the best parts of expatriation is the bonds you form with fellow expats because you are all going through the same thing, and you don’t have family around.  We’ve made some great friends here that I hope will all continue to be close for a long time to come.  I will miss this fun group so much!!