Blogging My Novel: The Home Stretch

So, this is it: the last frenetic burst of revision before the summer holidays. The girls are attending a week of ballet camp which leaves me with lots of time and no excuses. I'm up to Chapter 8 of 15, over half way, but the hard part is yet to come. That said, I'm imposing a blog ban until Friday PM. Incessant prodding via comments is encouraged. Remember, we writers are needy!

Promotion

It happens at the end of June like Swiss clockwork. All kids in every grade all over the canton celebrate their promotion from one year to the next. Not every commune or village celebrates in the exact same manner but, rest assured, a party only to be surpassed by December's Escalade takes place.

What follows are photos from the village of Corsier's festivities. The event was kicked off by a cortège or procession that began in front of the school buildings, wound through the village, only to finish in the school gym. This year the youngest students carried flags from whichever country they wanted while the other classes wore or carried items that represented the different continents. A wagon loaded with preschoolers who will attend the 'big' school in the fall brought up the rear.

The band.
(Check out the shoes on the clarinetist. Only in Europe!)

Flags of the world

African Shields

Statues of Liberty for North America
(A Mountie or two would have been nice. *sniff*)

Footballs for Europe

Coolie hats for Asia

Sombreros for South America

And, finally, the 'La Pomme' Wagon.
Last year Mighty Mouse was on board. *sniff*

The ceremony that followed consisted of singing by the students followed by presentations made by the mayor of Corsier. Teachers who were moving on to other schools or retiring received flowers while the 6th graders, who will move on to cycle or high school in the fall, received enormous dictionaries and a handshake or three kisses on the cheek, depending on their gender.

With formalities over, the party could begin. Sausages, hamburgers, fries, and drinks were served by the village fire brigade, hors d'oeuvres by the parent association, and dessert by the parents of the preschoolers. There were free carousel rides, a bouncy castle, carnival games, and the unofficial annual water fight.

The party went on well into the evening, long after the Mighty family headed for home.

Congratulations on your Promo everyone! Have a great summer.

Let the games begin!

Yesterday afternoon the parents of Corsier helped animate Les Jeux, or Games Day. I was in charge of refreshments, dispensing over 35 liters of syrop, apple juice and water in just under two hours. Kids, ranging in age from four to thirteen, roamed as they liked between the events which included various forms of target practice, musical chairs and face painting.

When the horn sounded that signaled the event's end, there was a general moan of disapproval. The kids were escorted back into class for their final dismissal and, with that, the 2007-8 school year was over. On with la promotion!

In case you are curious:

syrop (seer-OH) - flavoured syrups like grenadine mixed with water (pretty gross if you ask me)
la promotion (PRO-mo-sion) - a parade, ceremony, and party which marks the promotion of all students from one grade to the next

Offshoots

A few weeks ago I was sure this day would never come: the seedlings were on their last legs--dusky and limp. I'd prepared the kids and the composter. It was just not meant to be.

But then the sun came out--and stayed. Leaves sprouted one, after the other, after the other until, low and behold, the seedlings looked almost presentable. All along the girls had planned to give 'un petit pommier' to their teachers. Now they could. They transplanted them yesterday and presented them today, the last day of school.

Au revoir P'tit Pommier!

A Year in Trees

Way to go, Mighty Mouse! Glad to have you back. XOXOX