It's been almost a week that I arrived in France at Cynthia and Gregory's house and a lot of exciting things have happened. First of all, seeing my grandchild is such a great feeling and I have been waiting this to happen. Lena was there at the airport with her mom and dad and to pick me up and she was very smiley and she recognized me immediately. That was awesome and my long trip's fatigue vanished suddenly.

  
I found Lena has changed a lot and still struggling to walk by herself. She is an easy baby. She eats well and she's so charming. Very dynamic and a real lovely baby. I enjoy being with her.

Aside from babysitting, I try to do scrapbooking and Cynthia is on it at the moment and she showed me the way of doing it. I have enough materials to fill up my free time if ever I get one. And I expect Lena to help me of course.

Cynthia and Greg showed me their future house and it is huge and with a nice view of the countryside which is next to the Swiss border. From the terrace, you can see  horses next to the property.

A big guest room for Lola and Lolo Pogi (Papylou) is ready to accommodate them.

While babysitting, I am doing an extra job....renovating Cynthia and Greg's garden table and chairs which have been out and damaged during winter. No, I am not being exploited. I volunteered to do it. It is like I need to do something. The painting will be finished hopefuly by tomorrow. I am almost done.

Pierre is changing prepa school and he's going up north and I am trying to help him find a lodging and be sharing with a friend. Finding thru internet, calling appointments, coordinating with his friend's mom and with Philippe who is still in Tahiti and Pierre who is in the south is not a piece of cake. It is nerve- wracking at times as it is summer time, a lot of people are on vacation. But with patience and perseverance....we are on the right track.

Aside from that, we found time to go shopping for summer sale and went to Greg's parents' house and enjoy their company together with the nephews and neices around the swimming pool. And oh boy, Lena just loved it.

 lena with cousins

Finally, we got to see Mimi and Mathieu today who are so busy after having gone in Le Cap Ferret for a couple of days to be with the grand

parents. Unfortunately, they don't have long holidays this summer. Both are working and will probably get some offs after.
They invited us to lunch, it was good but it was a short bonding time as both got to work in the afternoon.  

We appreciate their invite despite their busy time. And we had good food. Thank you Chef Mathieu. 

We agreed that we'll go shopping when Mimi gets her days off next week. Mom and daughters bonding together.                  

    
Every summer,  having everyone in one place and in one time is such a challenge for the family. No matter how much we try to organize a family get-together, there's always something that comes up unexpectedly.

Like for example, we have established a date for a big get-together this summer and everybody will be around except Greg. But then, we just learned that Mimi can't make it as she's got a special meeting in her job. I am really feeling sorry for her.

This is how I manage my summer holiday. It's like a marathon but I do enjoy it. I am happy to be with my children. I am happy to be of service and to be with their company. 

In a week time, Cynthia, Lena and myself will drive down south to join the grandparents in their summer house in Le Cap Ferret where everyone will be on a rendez-vous. Pierre will be there with his friends, Philippe will be joining us, Greg will follow and Marie Anne and Mathieu will join a bit later. 

As usual, the house will be full of fun and noisy!  People come and go. A lot of people around the table with surely with good appetite!  

I can't wait to be there in Le Cap Ferret and bring Lena to the beach where she will play with the water and make sand castles. Her papylou is thinking of taking Lena in the sailboat and show her around the bay. I wonder if her mom and dad would allow that.

I have have couple of busy weeks until I get back to Tahiti and I will try to write and post pictures as I continue my journey here in France.