Alexandra, John & Thomas Joyeux Noël 2014
Joyeux Noël from the French speakers Menzies & Swales.
It’s a pleasure to be writing a letter to family and friends and reflecting on an enjoyable and challenging year in 2014.
Thomas is now 8 years old and Alexandra and John are still in their 40’s, just though! In 2015 we’ll be both celebrating our 50th’s. So that means – Let’s celebrate!
Thomas has a stable group of around 8 close friends who have always been an interesting challenge for their new teacher (all clever characters.) He was pleased for his end of school year (June 2014) having a great report from his teacher.
Thomas is continuing with his tennis where we now can enjoy playing some good matches with him, perfecting his swimming and taking his 2nd year of catechism. Wednesday’s are still a no-school day where Thomas looks forward to his hourly French lessons with Martine (a retired school principal) to perfect his français, thanks to her he’s fluent now.
This will probably be his last Christmas to believe in Santa and his no.1 toy on Santa’s list is Skylander Trapteam then after that is anything Lego. The last two Christmas’s have been spent in the Alps but this year we’ll be at home as to not to confuse Santa this time.
View Photo Gallery for all the pics
Through the year we had a few outings, some Husky dog sledging days, snowboarding, skiing or snowshoeing, a long weekend at Disneyland Paris, La Tour de France went through our village, visited Grotte de Choranche (thanks to Martine), camping at Saoû in La Drôme region with friends for rocking climbing. In April one of my NZ cousins (Simone and her son Liam) past through on their tour staying at L’Hermitage in La Valle en Gier, so Thomas & I met up with her and others from Liam’s school. In March Thomas came fourth in his first marathon and first in a race when staying in Sleights for this summer. (see photos).
John’s mother (Nora, 81 yrs) sadly past away, in June. She was a strong lady but the 4 year long battle against cancer finally took a hold over her. It’s been an emotional strain on John accepting that his mum has gone. I was told the first milestone year is tough – Nora is dearly missed. For her funeral we traversed by car & ferry to North Yorkshire then in August went over again to spend a month’s summer holiday. The second time visiting gave us more time to reflect over our loss and to catch up with good friends and family.
Just recently in November, John left his job after working at JTEKT for 16 years. They say change is good; its just going through the transition is hard. He’s got some good contacts lined up so we hope he’ll be back into workforce soon.
The same goes for me as I continue working as an entrepreneur English teacher I’ve been given the opportunity to return back into my skilled trade in the fashion field soon. Now that Thomas is more independent, taking the bus to school there & back has given me the opportunity to return back into fulltime work and I can be back on time when he comes home. So fingers crossed all goes to plan. Through teaching I’ve made some great friends and I continue to enjoy going to my fitness classes and John is back into swimming on a regular basis. It was just 2 years ago when I was in Auckland last for Mum & Dad’s 50th wedding anniversary and Mum’s 80th. That was such a memorable occasion and now this August where we are looking forward to celebrating together Poppa’s 80th plus around that same time we’re lucky to celebrate Nana’s 82nd birthday also. We are fortunate to have such loving parents/grand-parents.
We hope that our family and friends keep well and continue to enjoy yourselves.
Wishing each and every one of you a Joyeux Noël and a very happy, healthy New Year.
Bisous from Alexandra, John & Thomas.