St. Martin

We have homework! The 1st assignment for the kindergarten, collect 10-15 leaves and press them in a book. Once again, I was only told the day before, but I decide to do it with M. and soon realize that all the leaves she picks up are either dirty, torn, or defected. I am already thinking of final result, the perfect paper lantern for Nov. 11.




November 11,is the feast day of St. Martin of Tours. He started out as a Roman soldier was baptized as an adult and became a monk. It is understood that he was a kind man who led a quiet and simple life. The most famous legend of his life is that he once cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar during a snowstorm, to save the beggar from dying of the cold.

A fresco of San Martin de Tours by Simone Martini

So on Feast of St. Martin, Martinstag or Martinmas, children in Germany participate in paper lantern processions. Often, a man dressed as St. Martin rides on a horse in front of the procession. The children sing songs about St. Martin and about their lanterns. The food traditionally eaten on the day is goose. According to legend, Martin was reluctant to become bishop, which is why he hid in a stable filled with geese. The noise made by the geese betrayed his location to the people who were looking for him.









The processional 'train' ends with a little feast of sweets (biscuits and fruit) and of course Glühwein (Mulled wine) to keep us warm, yum!

In Italy, the saint day was associated to the new wine. My mom told me of a saying in her dialect:"si prova (u vin) e si pilla". (you try the wine and tap it). So tonight, in honour of our new tradition (my mom also says "paese che vai, usanza che trovi" the country you go to, the customs you find ) and thanks to my friend D, I tried out this recipe .... what can I say, I couldn't find a goose!

The Bird Flies the Coop

After 9 months of waiting, it's finally here! I wasn't pregnant, so it's not what you think...kindergarten has finally begun!

Now back home in Mtl, kindergarten begins at age 5 and is that wonderful year we spent playing all day long, oblivious to all the 'learning and sitting' coming ahead in elementary school. Here, kindergarten begins at 3 years old and lasts for 3 years, and every child has a right to a spot. If you are looking for a childcare solution for a younger toddler, good luck!

Now all sarcasm aside, for children under 3, there is krippe. It is quite difficult to find a spot in this type of nursery and based on my mere experience, and lack of any German background or language, for the following reasons:
1- there are too many babies around (every woman my age has 3!) and not enough krippe
2- the bavarian government encourages moms to stay home for the 3year period (if you were employed when becoming pregnant, your position is legally held for you for that period).

The waiting list is so long that by the time she would get 'on' it, she would have to leave. A tip some mom gave me, put your name on the list before you are pregnant...I guess I'll know for next time!


After many months of hounding the daycares, I finally managed to find a spot in a private kindergarten (not state run) close to our home. It only runs till 2pm but it was the only one that would take her under 3 years. I must say G. and I were worried at first because it's only in German, but M. has adjusted quite well. Actually, she has extended her German vocabulary to 'nien'(no) 'danke schön'(thank you) and several verses to her favorite songs.



Since I don't speak German and the teachers don't speak English, I manage to communicate using some French, Italian and hand gestures when needed. They realized that I don't read the bulletin board (since I missed out on the first parent teacher meeting), so they try to inform me with little notes for any upcoming events. I was told on Monday that on Wedndesday the children would be celebrating Halloween. I mean I know it was coming but not that soon! And if you could please bring some food, that would be nice!



With only 2 days to come up with an idea, and then make it! I know, I guess I could just go out and buy it, but that's no fun :-) So Tuesday night after putting her to sleep I began cutting up an old sweater , (G. contributed one too, but he doesn't know it)and sewing her an outfit, while I whipped a batch of pumpkin muffins. A mom's job is never done!








M. being chased by her cousin E. the pumpkin.

So everyone asks me, was it worth the wait? Yes, even if it's for 4hours a day (I have to pick her up at 1, she's soo tired that I take her home to nap) I don't get much done, but at least I'm toddler free!