the real "new year"

it's back to school time + not a moment too soon!  over the weekend, between questions like 'where will the other kids be from?' and 'what if i don't make any new friends?' or teary statements like 'i miss caledon and my friends, when are we going home?" we got out and about for a little hiking + exploring.  

on the way to the local glacier, les diablerets, we came across a small herd of cattle barreling down the road.  as alpine grasses thin out in the fall, the farmers bring their cows back down the mountain with much pomp and circumstance.  the cows wear their large bells and are often adorned with flowers.  

it is a much a visual feast as it is a symphony for the ears!

to get up to the glacier, you can either walk (not our choice at this stage of the game) or take 2 cable cars that soar above rock faces, a little unnerving.  the glacier sits at 3000m and on a clear day, you can see the matterhorn and mt blanc!  it is currently closed to skiers, but open for hiking which we did all the way across and back!  it was insanely beautiful, but much more comfortable for those of us with gortex boots. we're all looking forward to skiing there in a couple of months.

today was the first day of school, the real new year...  eli, graydon and esmee dutifully woke up early, put on their uniforms and, in the pouring rain, we headed down the hill to the jfk international school.  they were nervous, excited and brave and i'd be lying if i didn't admit to having the 'first day of school' butterflies myself!  for the past 41 years, the jfk school, has been owned and run by my sister-in-law Alison's parents, Bill and Sandy Lovell.  it is a small international school with all the worldy + magical charm you can imagine!  every classroom has a view to the mountains, some of the buildings date back to the 1600s + the staff and student lists are dotted with names much more exotic than 'taylor' or 'mcintosh'.  it is a truly special place and we are all thrilled and feel so incredibly blessed to be here.  the day went very well for everyone.. at the end of the day, they were all smiles and full of excited stories about so-and-so or what they did at school as we climbed the hill back home.

as he was falling asleep tonight, eli said that he thinks it's going to be an interesting year because there are kids from all over the world who speak different languages and have different perspectives and experiences.  he also really likes his teacher, mr. yon who is from northern ontario, of all places!  esmée made a new friend named antonia (greek) who gave her a bow for her hair and her teacher, miss jane is amazing, so she's thrilled.  graydon's teacher, mr. kevin, is also amazing + enthusiastic and thank god he is a man because there are 11 girls and 2 boys in the class!  the other boy, alessandro (italian), seems to be a good fiery match for our spirited middle child.  

so finally, they're asleep in their beds with visions of the many adventures to come in their heads...  tomorrow, after we drop the kids at school, jeff and i are going for a hike with a new australian friend and then playing tennis.... ahhhhh, i love europe!   over + out for now...