life of a scout in all weathers

Mimi speaking, I went for a 3 day camping and was happy to have slept in the middle of the forest with all my colleagues and parents organizer. It was all fun and educational as we were taught of  values, leadership skills and compassion for others, to name a few. Every kids shared the assigned task given by the parents like tidying up after every meals, washing the dishes, throw the garbage to the bins and more others. My parents went to the place on the last day to contribute and play with us.  Help every scout to prepare our stuffs and get ready for the departure. Went home tired but happy !

While Mimi went back home, I Basti left for a one week camping too with all my colleagues. It was a 3 hours trip from where we live somewhere in Drome south of France. The camping was a success. The place  was just perfect. They all liked the costume Mom made. It was a very simple costume...( Casper your friendly ghost ) but very popular in the camp. I was the star of the night :D ! It was my first time long week camp out and it was very interesting as we are  taught to be responsible person. Taking care of our own stuffs, cleaning the camp, division of assigned task given by the leader and a lot more.

The leaders teaches a few pointers on where and how to set out our camp. It's not good just plonking your tents just like that or  anywhere. Check the place if there is running water down into your tent because it could be invaded by wasps, ants or mosquitoes. Camp-fires are typically  associated with the camping experience. Being able to start a good fire is not as easy as it seems as it takes many years of  practice and familiarity before you can light a fire using the minimum of materials. We are enable to do a various duties around the camp from lighting a fire to constructing a camp, taking care of equipment and use it effectively. It is essential that every scout be trained how to use and look after every equipments correctly and safely.

We cannot wait for another camp out !

new addition

We would like to introduce you  the new addition to the family. Oooppss don't get us wrong we won't have a brother or a sister. It's a cat !!! Well, so sorry to disappoint you. Her name is Caramel, it was Mayumi's idea for the name. Papa and Me (Mayumi) wanted to have a cat or a dog. After our turtles, who died unfortunately, we opted for a cat. Maman was clear enough not to have a dog. She said it will be an additional job for her which is  understandable. Maman and Me (Sébastien) were hesitant about having a cat because I have an allergy. But there is Chiara and her opinion counts a lot. Chiara is very attracted to animals. So final decision a cat !!! 3 against 2 ! The winner is having Caramel :D ! This is so cool ;) !

the sumo that is me

Hi it's me Chira, my first time here. I will tell you some of  developments I made these past few months. First, I am weaned already. It's necessary that I should stop to be breastfed I am 26 months already and should take my feeding bottle instead. I took my time and I am happy about it.  I start potty training and I am doing very well. But I won't go to school yet this year as they change the law that 3 year old kids are their priorities.  I can say some words and some phrases as my Maman talks to me in English and Papa talks to me in French and I don't have problems about it as I understand them both. By now, I am able to put on an article of clothing sometimes I make it right sometimes not. I could probably name about six body parts. When Maman ask me to arrange the mess I could and I'm able to do the tiding up but sometimes I could be stubborn I must admit. 

During the weekends we frequently do activities like hiking, climbing, biking, roller skating etc. I love it when we go out as I learn a lot from my big siblings. I am often introduced to many things like I learn how to interact with other children. Learn to wait and have my turn especially when we go to a public park. Learn to also defend when someone is bullying me. And all those things a toddler should learn. I will tell you more about me soon again.

sporty kiddos

Since every Wednesdays of the year we don't have classes it's sports day for both of us. I, Sébastien chose to concentrate on Athletism. I practice from 10 to 12 in the morning every Wednesdays. While me, Mayumi stopped to do sports in the morning as I didn't like to be in the group with all the boys. We are only 2 girls in the group which is not so great. But it doesn't mean that I do not have activity to do. Of course I do Taekwondo every Wednesdays afternoon together with my Kuya. Early June before going on a two month summer vacation we have passed the test. We have both the yellow belt. Kuya yellow belt with 2 bars and mine was only with one bar. Me, Sébastien had my orange belt and jumped to 2 levels. Really happy and satisfied with my performance. Since my sister is young she stays with her yellow belt but with 2 bar and jumped one level. At least she also passed the test and she was also happy about it. 

Listening to speeches of instructors and the founder

My instructor handed me my yellow belt with 2 bars on it

 Later on Jamel my instructor call me and handed me my orange belt

The whole group

Scoutisme

C'est la première année pour nous deux de s'inscrire au scoutisme et nous trouvons cela génial ! Nous avons pas mal d'activités sur le camp. Moi, Mimi je suis au farfadets, c'est le nom de notre équipe. Un service du mouvement en direction des jeunes enfants de 6 à 8 ans et de leurs parents. C'est apprendre de vivre avec les autres, expression personnelle, éveil à la Foi, sens du service et à s'ouvrir au monde et à vivre en communauté.

Mon équipe prêt à jouer !

Moi, Basti je suis au louveteaux, une branche cadette des Scouts et Guides de France pour les garçons de 8 à 12 ans. Nous organisons en petites équipes : avoir l'imagination, grands jeux, activités de plein air... rythment la vie d’équipe. Les enfants prennent confiance en eux en acceptant de petites responsabilités à la mesure de leur âge puis en réalisant des actions tournées vers les autres. 

organisation de louveteaux

contente de retrouver mon Papa

Tout le monde au boulot !

 L'endroit où nous sommes allés campé.

C'est vraiment magnifique car nous sommes dans la nature au milieu de nul part !

On apprendre beaucoup choses sur le camp. Joue, chante, campe, découvre la nature, fais preuve d’agilité, d’habileté et d’attention aux autres…bref vivre en communauté et d'être autonome !

medals and the snow white

Hello everyone, we try to update this blog as much as possible but it's not really easy. Between school, activities and looking after our little Chiara. We try to help Papa and Maman as much as possible at home. We are glad  to be educated to do things on our own. Maman gives us little task to do at home so she could do other important things at home.

 

Anyway,  last winter me Basti got my "Etoile de Bronze"  and me Mimi, passed my " 2éme Etoile". We are really proud of our accomplishments everytime we go skiing. We are also excited for our little sister this winter break. We would like to see her ski too. While we were away skiing in the Alps with Papa, Chiara and Maman stayed at home because we will only spend our weekend there. Maman told us that it snowed in Marseille, it's unfortunate we didn't see our city covered with snow because it's really quite a rare sight that Marseille is under the snow. It would have been nice to play with our little sister since we are near a football field. So here are some beautiful photos our Mom took on that one fine day....a nice souvenir of the South of France.

 the other view of football field

top view from the house

football field

our garden

 

entrance gate

our Yuka plant

 Apricot tree

laurel plant

happenings

Nine long months of no blogging, excuse us. Mama is busy and we are too. So at this time, we will give you an update of what's happening in our life.

Me, Basti went in a summer camp thanks to Papa's company thru CE. I did tennis training and other activities for 15 days in the Côtes D'Azur. I have learned a lot from that training, to be independent and learn to live in a community. While Me, Mimi went to the center of France for 15 days of horse/poney activities and other exciting stuffs to do. I've also learned to be on my own, to take care of my personal stuffs and learn to mingle with diverse personality.

During the weekends we are out for trekking, rock climbing or other interesting stuffs to do around Marseille. We have a very nice weather so better to take advantage of it as winter is just around the corner. It's so unfortunate to just stay at home and watching tv and playing games can be boring sometimes.


For the second time, the family went to Costa Brava as Papa's diving club used to organize diving journey yearly just for the weekend. It was fun as usual as people are so nice and we have eaten delicious food.

This summer we went to Corsica for 3 weeks. After a year of not going there because of personal reason. This time, me (Basti) went camping with Papa and 2 adolescents just in front of vacation house. Papa introduced me to camping for the first time. An unforgettable experience indeed. Camping out, a 2 hours trek was necessary before we could get on top of the mountain. Papa prepared pasta for everyone that night. Sleeping in a duvet was just extraordinary, I guess I was the only one who was able to have a good sleep. The rest, unfortunately not .

We had visits from my Papa's childhood's friends (Thierry and Valerie) not at the same moment. We also had Tita Makis together with her husband. We went twice to the rivers and beaches so they could discover the beauty of Corsica. We guys went canyoning while the girls stayed at the beach !

We have played all the time with other kids, talked with the locals, or just simply promenading around the area. It was always fun to spend our vacation in the island of beauty. So to the next episode, have a nice day to everyone.

Magic Disney

After that wonderful wedding the next day was brunch with family and close friends. We have spent half of the day eating, talking, playing and taking pictures is a must to do. It was about 2 o'clock in the afternoon when we bid goodbye to everyone. We are so excited to our next destination !

According to Psychologist encouraging people to dream and and if you believe those dreams can come true, it will definitely happen ! We totally agree. Every child has a dream, a dream to travel, a dream to become a ballet dancer, a dream to become a doctor, well those are great dreams for the future and it's not impossible to happen. But for the moment, we aren't dreaming for those yet. We only want our wish to be granted. A simple wish! We have waited for so long on this occasion to be realized. It happened last Summer when our parents brought us to Disneyland Paris....for us one of our dreams came true !

Entering the gate, we were speechless ! It was really magic . Not only us were mesmerized but out parents too. We passed by the Main Street, USA - the charm and hospitality of a small town in the United States from the early 20th century. We have strolled past Victorian stores before taking a carriage to go eat ice cream at the Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlour. Like the good old days, when Walt Disney was a boy.

Fantasyland - is the most wonderful country. This is where fairy tales and stories that inspired the Disney animated films come to life like magic. We have seen the show of all the disney characters and we were really happy to have met them.

Frontierland - Walk in the Wild West legendary riverboat cruise, mad rush to board the mine train Big Thunder Mountain ", playground Pocahontas - The Indian Village for your kids, and chills guaranteed to Phantom Manor. It was like we are living in the far west.

Adventureland - awaits you with its share of laughs and chills. You'll encounter pirates on the high seas, you will avoid the danger with Indiana Jones and you will climb the trees to the Cabane des Robinsons. We will never forget that stroll on the boat !

Discoveryland - is that predictions of visionaries come to life. Explore the outer reaches of the universe with Space Mountain: Mission 2 or Captain EO Michael Jackson. Wow, this is so cool !

Everything is really magic ! Can't wait to visit it agan when our little sister is big enough to enjoy all these wonderful rides and attractions. Last but not the least, we are very happy to have met TIta Nikki, my Maman's first cousin and her very nice husband Tito Allen. We have dined all together, talked and laughed the whole night. PERFECT !

tie the knot

After Chiara's arrival we have been so busy , that is why our blog is not updated. Sorry, we need to help our Mom in our own very little way. We try to adjust as well. of the new life we have. We are a growing siblings so we make sure to at least do our part and make life easier for everyone. Okay, enough for that because we want to share with you our Disney experience after this wedding post.

We know this post is super dooper late. We went by car as we have attended a wedding of my Papa's cousin's first in the North of France before heading to Disneyland. Of course, it's the best time to also visit relatives as we see them very rare. The wedding was just fantastic and we both have a nice opportunity to be a ring bearer and flower girl .

The Abbaye

The newly wed and us

It was incredible and impressive as there were 250 persons invited for the "vin d'honneur" (it is a cocktail served between a marriage ceremony and before going to the reception). Everyone celebrated and enjoyed that wonderful wedding day.

5 & growing

Yes I just turned 5 last April 25 though this is a way too late to blog about my celebration but who cares . Like my Kuya, I have also celebrated it with SMUC with a sports themed birthday party. Have invited my close friends from school to celebrate it with me and Mom prepared an afternoon snack for everyone. It was a 3 hours non-stop sports activities. I am glad that my friends enjoyed it as much as I did. I am happy to have this option to celebrate my birthday as this is something original.

I am 5 and growing.....that means I need to stop doing naughty things. Well, not exactly stop but lessen my being makulit (mischievous) according to Mom. Anyway, we will update this blog again soon. We did a lot of great stuffs this summer so stay tuned .

2+1= 3

It was April 12 when our little sister said hello to the world. Her name is Chiara Dalisay and she weighs 4.640 kls and 51 cm. Big baby she is, record breaker as we call her. We are really happy to have her. We were so excited of her coming. We help Maman to take care of Chiara by simply playing with her while Maman does the chores at home. Now, there you go...the three of us . She's 5 months old in this photo and she starts eating solid food. More on us next time.

7 candles

It's been a long time that we haven't updated this site. A lot has happened since our last post. First, I just turned 7 years old and we have celebrated my birthday simply at home. My Maman cooked spaghetti and cake to celebrate the day. It's not only that, my parents have also prepared something for me to celebrate it with my close friends from school. It was a birthday party themed sports at SMUC where we usually do sports. Thank you very much to my parents who made an effort to surprise me and did everything during the birthday party. And to our 2 monitors who prepared sports activities and offered entertaining and exciting parcours for everybody.

This is the birthday cake my Mom prepared for me.

Our 2 monitors and my invited friends

My team multicolours

The bluegreen team

Everyone !

We really had a blast ! It was fun & sporty celebration ! Can't wait for next year. Would like to thank again my parents, my friends who came and for their wonderful gifts.

techniques to discover

It's Sébastien speaking, since I passed the ski test and obtained the 3rd star, I decided to take snowboard lesson. I asked my parents that I am very interested to try snowboarding. Papa called the L'ESF (Ecole du Ski Français) and inquire. According to them snowboarding lesson starts at the age of 10. They have asked my father if I am an independent child and could follow instructions easily. He answered yes and that I am very sports-minded child. We have spent 1 week in the Alps and on the first day I started to take group lessons with other kids . The thing is, I was with kids of 10 yrs. old and up. I am independent but not as independent as of a 10 yrs. old child. I've found myself catching up with big kids and always on my knees honestly it was tough and quite tiring. The next day, my parents decided to take private lesson and so I have my own snowboard monitor all by myself from 5PM to 6PM for 4 days. I don't care if it's cold because I am very interested to learn snowboarding. After 4 days of hardwork I had my 1st level in snowboarding and got my medal. My Monitor named Kevin is proud of me as I have easily learned the techniques. He even talks about me with his colleagues, and I am happy because it's a compliment ! Here's the video of me just to share that I made it even if it was tough !

we did it !

Hello there, we've been so busy with all the things happening around us. And because Maman is a bit tired....guess what the coming of our third sibling demands a lot of time. She's working out on everything before the baby arrive. We thank her for still updating our site despite of busy schedule.

Last Christmas we have spent a wonderful white celebration between us in the Alps. We have enjoyed skiing with Papa while Maman gets some rest. We got the best gift ever this Christmas, I got my 3rd medal (3éme étoile) for ski while my sister got his snowflake medal (flocon). And just spending quality time with family will always be the best gift to celebrate the season. We'll share some of our photos to end this post ! Have a prosperous 2010 to all.

The proof that we have passed the ski test !