Friday, July 19, 2013

Vivre d'Amour et D'eau Fraiche.....et Livres! Live on Love (And Water) Alone...And Books!

Saturday, July 20 - Saturday, July 27:  Ideas to help us all promote French language learning this week including local activities for kids and families.  Please share any other ideas by commenting below or posting to Bonjour Mama's Facebook page!  Bonne semaine! (Scroll down to FRENCH THIS WEEK)


Palisades Spray Park

The French expression, Vivre d'amour et d'eau fraiche equates to our "Live on Love Alone".  The French version calls for some water as well, and this heat of Washington summer, I agree.

This past week we had our first two Bonjour Mama summer playdates, both of which involved water play (relief). On Monday we met at Norwood Park in Chevy Chase and played "1-2-3 Soleil (Statues), Hide and Seek (Cache-Cache) followed by a brief but very wet and refreshing water fight at Norwood Park in Chevy Chase. On Thursday we went to the newly renovated Palisades spray park in DC. 

This place was fantastiqueI didn't wear a bathing suit, thinking I would be an onlooker to the kids' splashing. In 90-degree weather this was unrealistic, and clothes and all, feeling that gorgeous cool stuff pouring down on me was magnifique!  One of the Mamans that attended sent me a note thanking me for the "moment de fraicheur!" My sentiments exactly.  

Join us for more fun in French (and eau fraiche!) next week! See below for details, and more summer playdates will be posted on the calendar and Facebook soon.

...et Livres!
This summer is bringing back visceral memories of childhood summers spent by the pool, which entailed a daily regimen of  vigorous swimming and play and HOURS of reading books. I remember laying out my orange blue beach towel with a piano design, feeling the scratchy grass underneath and lying down with the smell of chlorine in my hair and skin, in pure heaven with a book. Laura Ingalls, Anne of Green Gables, Nancy Drew, the Judy Blume characters. At various times throughout childhood years these were my meilleures amies, and we spent hours together in the summer.

As a mother, I am doing my best to recreate these happy experiences with Zach. He is starting to read on his own and to encourage him (in addition to the somewhat overzealous step of starting our own bookstore;-)) I am packing books with our pool bag whenever we go, trying to keep them separate from the leaky sunscreen bottles. There is nothing more relaxing after running and swimming and soaking up sun to plop down on the grass (or concrete;-)) for a long, luxurious read.  Living without love or water would be tough, but vivre sans livres, impossible!





For French reading, check out the great selections at several of the local libraries (see the links I just posted to the right: they should take you directly to the French-language children's collections- the DCPL link doesn't seem to be working, but they do have a decent selection so take a look!).  Also....summer book picks on Bonjour Mama are here, and our next Book Party/Sale will be next Saturday, July 27th at the Bethesda Co-op market.  

In the meantime, stay cool! Restez au frais! 


Bonne Semaine:-)


FRENCH THIS WEEK

At Home


Play (in a group): "Le Facteur n'Est Pas Passé". This is kind of the equivalent of "Duck, Duck Goose" and was taught to me and Zach by some delightful 7-year olds yesterday morning at the spray park.  Here's how to play: 

You all sit in a circle with your eyes closed, chanting: "le facteur n'est pas passé, il ne passera jamais: 1 heure, 2 heures, 3 heures...." as the "facteur" (mailman) walks around with an envelope (or anything). When he chooses the recipient of the letter (taps them on the back and drops it) he/she has to get up, grab the letter and chase down the mailman. If caught, the "facteur" sits in the middle until the next one is caught.  The kids loved this one, and I felt like what it must be to be in the "recré" (recess) at the French school!   

Joke in French: check out these "Monsieur et Madame" jokes:  

Monsieur et madame Nastik ont un fils, comment s’appelle-t-il?
- Jim. (Jim Nastik: gymnastique)
Monsieur et Madame Ouzi ont un fils, comment s’appelle-t-il?
– Jacques. (Jacques Ouzi: “Jacuzzi”)


Out and About


Monday, July 22
10:30am -  Noon: Bonjour Mama French Playdate at Chevy Chase / Livingston ParkBring swimming attire, sunscreen, water, and picnic lunch! Free. RSVP to bonjourmamadc@gmail.com or on Facebook Events page.


Thursday, July 25
10:30am -  Noon: Bonjour Mama French Playdate at Palisades spray park.  Bring swimming attire, sunscreen, water, and picnic lunch! Free. RSVP to bonjourmamadc@gmail.com or on Facebook Events page.


Saturday, July 27 
9:00 am - 12 Noon Bonjour Mama Book Party & Sale at the Bethesda Coop Market. Lots of books in French and English (Usborne & Kane Miller books) and a few in Spanish and other languages. Suggested itinerary: coffee at Starbucks, pick up croissants at the Michel Bakery inside the co-op market, then come outside for books and activities chez Bonjour Mama!

If any Mamans or Papas would like to volunteer to read stories and/or help kids play with the activities in French (for at least 30 minutes), you can have your choice of books up to $10!  I can take two volunteers (the first two people to respond will get the "job")  

See the calendar for full view of events this week, including regularly scheduled events and storytimes. Looking for other family and adult events en francais? Check the following calendars: 


Thursday, July 4, 2013

Joyeuse Fête Nationale!


Inspired by this month's revolutionary double-whammy with both the American July 4th and French July 14th celebrations, I was curious to know more about our common revolutionary history.  So I started googling things like "Franco-American friendship" and found a fun video put together by the French embassy that points out many of the highlights of French-American relations. 

They cover the expected topics like L'Enfant (who designed the city of Washington) and Lafayette (who served as Major General under Washington and played a central role in the American Revolution), but I also learned about the Comte de Rochambeau who led the French expeditionary forces in the Continental army, and that there is a French Caucus within the U.S. Congress!  

As I looked for images of the French flag to put on here, I came across images that reminded me of the logo for the musical, Les Misérables. I thought: why not try to find some of my favorite tunes from the musical (based on the novel by Victor Hugo) in French! While not about the actual French revolution (it tells the story of the June rebellion a few decades later) what a great soundtrack to both independence day celebrations!




As I started searching for translations of songs into French I soon realized my approach was backwards: I had completely forgotten that "Les Miz" was originally a French musical, which is a bit pathetic considering the title is LES MISERABLES!;-). I found out it originally débuted in Paris in 1980 (and has been translated into 22 other languages over the past 25 years).  

I cannot believe I have spent my life so far without having heard the incredible original French songs!  If you love Les Miz in English, please give yourself--and your kids-- the gift of listening to ""A la volonté du peuple! (Do you hear the people sing?"), "L'Air de la Misère" ("On My Own") or "J'avais Rêvé d'une Autre Vie" ("I Dreamed a Dream"). These gorgeous melodies sung in French are breathtaking. 

Joyeuse Fête Nationale, today for America and on the 14th for France! See below for highlights of Bastille Day Events. 

Bastille Day Celebrations through July 14th




Thu Jul 11, 2013
6pm - 7:30pm
: Bastille Day Fête and celebration of Georges Braques  
Where: the Phillips Collection

Fri Jul 12, 2013
7pm-12am: French Embassy: Bastille Day Celebration ($110)
Where: French Embassy, DC

Sat Jul 13, 2013
10am - 5pm French Festival - Hillwood Estate ($0-$18)
Where: Hillwood Museum

Sun Jul 14, 2013
2pm: Baguette Relay Race (Free)


FRENCH THIS WEEK

At Home

Learn La Marseillaise and sing like a revolutionary!

Listen to the original "Les Miserables" - the musical - en français!  Look for youtube versions for free or buy the album at itunes (search "les miserables french"). March to the beat of "Do you hear the people sing? / A la volonté du peuple!


Wish someone a "Joyeux 14 Juillet" with a Cybercarte e-greeting.

Monday, July 1, 2013

"Floaties", "Beach Umbrella", and Other Essential French Summer Vocabulary for Families!

La mer


We had a playdate with some French-speaking friends this past week at the pool where I discovered I didn't know how to say “floaties”. My friends told me they are called brassards. To help prepare for the rest of the summer of moments like this where I feel mute and frustrated at not having the mot juste when I need it, I put together a cheat sheet. Am I missing anything? See an error or know of a better translation?  Let me know! And thank you again to the Mamans Autour de DC for their helpful input!  Merci!

Air conditioner
<->
la clim (fam.); climatisation-f
amusent park
<->
parc d'attractions - m
barbecue
<->
barbecue- m
baseball
<->
baseball- m
bathing suit
<->
maillot de bain- m
bay
<->
baie - f
beach
<->
plage - f
beach ball
<->
ballon de plage - m
beach bag
<->
sac de plage - m
beach chair
<->
transat - m
beach towel
<->
serviette de plage - f / drap de plage - m
beach toys
<->
jeux de plage - m
beach umbrell
<->
parasol - m
blueberries
<->
myrtilles - f
bikini
<->
bikini - m
blistering heat
<->
chaleur torride - f
boat
<->
bateau - m
summer camp
<->
colonie d'été - f
camping
<->
Camping- m
camp out
<->
camper
canoeing
<->
canoë - m
diving 
<->
plongée - f
diving board
<->
plongeoir -m
dragonfly
<->
libellule - f
fireflies
<->
lucioles - f
floaties
<->
brassards - m / flotteurs - m
fresh fruit
<->
fruits frais- m
Frisbee
<->
Frisbee
gnat
<->
moucheron - m
goggles
<->
lunettes de natation - f
gardening
<->
jardinage- m
heat
<->
chaleur- f
hiking
<->
randonnée
hiking boots
<->
chaussures de randonnée- f
holiday
<->
fête- f
hot
<->
chaud
humidity
<->
humidité- f
ice cream
<->
glace- f
Independence Day
<->
Jour de l'Indépendance- m
inflatable
<->
gonflable
inflatable ring
<->
bouée gonflable- f
insect repellant
<->
repulsif à insectes- m
kickboard
<->
planche de natation - f
kiddie pool / wading pool
<->
pataugeoire / bassin pour enfants
kite
<->
cerf-volant
lawn chair   / deck chair
<->
chaise longue -f
lawn
<->
pelouse - f
lawnmower
<->
tondeuse - f
lightning
<->
foudre - f
life vest
<->
gilet de sauvetage - m
mosqito
<->
moustique- f
muggy
<->
moite
ocean
<->
océan- f
outdoors
<->
à l'extérieur
outdoor pool
<->
piscine découverte
outings
<->
sorties- f
outside
<->
à l'extérieur
paddle boat
<->
pédalo
park
<->
parc
picnic
<->
pique-nique
play
<->
jouer
popsicle
<->
popsicle- m / glace à eau - f
pool
<->
piscine- f
pool (within larger complex)
<->
bassin- m
relax
<->
se détendre
rest
<->
reste
road trip
<->
voyage en voiture- m
sand
<->
sable- m
sandals
<->
sandales- f
sandbox
<->
bac à sable- m
sandcastle
<->
chateau de sable - m
sea
<->
mer - f
searing heat
<->
chaleur torride - f
seashore
<->
au bord de la mer- f
season
<->
saison - f
shorts
<->
short- m
shovel
<->
pelle - f
showers
<->
douches - f
sightseeing
<->
tourisme - m
stifling
<->
étouffant
splash
<->
arroser
sprinkler
<->
arroseur - m
summer
<->
été - m
summer solstice
<->
solstice d'été
sun
<->
soleil - m
sunburn
<->
coup de soleil -m
sundress
<->
robe d'été - f
sunglasstes
<->
lunettes de soleil - f
sunhat
<->
bob - m
sunny
<->
ensoleillé
sunscreen
<->
un écran solaire / une crème solaire
suntan
<->
bronzage - m
sweltering
<->
étouffante
swim
<->
nager
swim fins/flippers
<->
palmes - f
swimming cap
<->
bonnet de bain - m
swim noodle
<->
spaghetti de piscine - m / frite acquatique - f
swimsuit
<->
maillot de bain - m
swim vest
<->
gilet de natation - m
tan
<->
bronzer (v) / bronzage (n)
thunder
<->
tonnerre - m
thunderstorm
<->
orage - m
travel
<->
voyage / voyager
trip
<->
voyage - m
vacation
<->
vacances- f
visit
<->
visiter
voyage
<->
voyage -m
warm weather
<->
temps chaud - m
water balloon
<->
bombe à eau - f
water gun
<->
pistolet à eau - m
watermelon
<->
pastèque - f
waterpark
<->
parc aquatique - m
waterski
<->
ski nautique - m
water slide
<->
toboggan à eau - m