Holidays in Aix-en-Provence

Mallory and Papa Noel

The holidays were truly memorable in Aix. While we missed our family and friends in the states, we really enjoyed learning about the holiday traditions in France, Germany, England, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Finland.

For example, my friend Annina informed me that the REAL Santa Claus is Finnish and that one can visit Santa at the North Pole workshop in Lapland (but that it is a bit touristy, like Euro-Disney). She enjoyed learning about the Polar Express and the Twelve Days of Christmas we celebrate in the United States.

Anja, my German friend, moved here in August and has three children who are learning English and French simultaneously. The children were especially pleased to sing "O Tannenbaum" at our holiday party. And our French friend Claude literally jumped to his feet and led the group in singing that special German carol as he was thrilled to be singing a European song!

The town of Aix was all decked out for the holidays for over a month, with special colored lights at the fountain, garland and lights hung all throughout the old town and the annual Christmas Market with festive booths selling everything from jewelry and toys to chocolate covered apples, warm spiced wine and "barbe a papa" (cotton candy). In addition to the booths, a carnival was set up at one end of the Cours Mirabeau featuring colorful rides for the children. For a month, we were tempted with wonderful shopping options and bumper cars, Shane's holiday obsession.

Christmas Market in Aix-en-Provence

Syd and Shane shopping in town

Even Shane enjoys French fashion!

Mallory checking out the lavender wands and ornaments at our friend Roseanne's Christmas Market booth on the Cours Mirabeau

Mallory and Sarah enjoy the carnival rides on the Cours Mirabeau

Shane was a real hot-shot on the bumper cars (with Mal and Sarah coming in for a surprise hit!)

Shane mandated that we include this photo with pal Thomas at the fair

HOLIDAY PARTIES

We hosted a "Champagne, Cookies and Carols" party for our international friends

The Guys

The Gals

Mal's music teacher, Hilary, sang several special holiday songs and led the Christmas carols

Julie and Mal, post-party

Mallory and Shane both hosted holiday baking parties with friends

Mallory's friends all baked cookies from their native countries for a festive cookie exchange

Shane loved decorating cookies!

In addition to decorating cookies, Shane's friends enjoyed lunch and American holiday classic cartoons like "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and "Frosty the Snowman"

We attended an Anglo-American Group of Provence Christmas Party

Shane met Santa Clause/Papa Noel...

...and sang "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth!!!"


Shane, Alys, Max and Ethan decorated mini-Sapins de Noel

In celebration of the holidays, the children each participated in their school's "Spectacles"

Shane's school put on a full production of "Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves." Shane was a camel herder and loved singing, "All these camels belong to Ali Baba!"


Mallory's music class sang carols at pick-up one afternoon and also performed during the International Bilingual School's "Spectacular"

Julie enjoyed volunteering with Anja, Annina and Kerry


Julie and pal Nathalie got into the spirit at the Set Club on a sunny December afternoon

The children also sang in a church choir at Saint Sauveur, a lovely, historic church in Aix-en-Provence

Video of the children singing....Shane is the first on the right in the front row (wearing a the blue sweater) and Mallory is the third from the right in the third row

CHRISTMAS EVE AND MORNING

We enjoyed a lovely Christmas Eve celebration with the Bates family(Mallory's BFF's family- best friend in France!) and a very quiet, relaxing Christmas day with our family.

All decked out on Christmas Eve in front of our Sapin de Noel

Webkinz were a real Santa treat since you can not purchase them in France

Santa brought Shane a Nintendo DS and gave Mal a nice digital camera (hopefully she will post some photos this year!).

In addition to Santa filling up their stockings, Papa Noel made a visit and put treats in their shoes, a unique French tradition.

Riley loved the holidays....especially the lovely gifts from Nana and Papa. He is now obsessed with playing tug-a-war with his new chew toy!