Days 2 & 3

I'll give a general update about the last two days and the family...

Yesterday I took it pretty easy.  I wasn't too jet lagged but I did have a cold and wasn't feeling very well.  I would come up and hide away in my room for long periods of time.  (Don't worry I wasn't responsible for anything yesterday or today).  It was hard to get much sleep because the house is being worked on.  Downstairs where my room will be they are making a play room for the girls.  Something I learned about houses in Luxembourg is that all the walls and floors are poured cement.  So unlike demolishing some dry wall and wood they are tearing out chunks of concrete... which makes for very loud demolition.  It should be done the beginning of next week and I am looking forward to being in the basement with more privacy and my own bathroom to spread out a bit more.

Usually Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday the nanny is here.  She only speaks French, which is quite interesting.  I have picked up a few words in the short time I have interacted with her and it is quite amazing how far facial expressions and hand gestures will go.  She is very nice and patient with me.  I think we will get along great!  There is also a maid that comes Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.  Apparently she does the ironing on Wednesdays so if I need anything ironed I just put it in a basket... wow!  And all because AnneMarie doesn't like ironing... must be nice! I don't like ironing either (which is why I don't do it) but I don't get to hire a maid.  Anyway... yesterday I left my room while Maria (the Maid who is Portuguese but only speaks French) was working and I cam back to a made bed and everything straightened.  Weird!

I have come to figure out that any time I am around the kids I must be ready to play and entertain... So this morning I stayed in my room until I knew I could handle being attacked!  They are sweet girls but very energetic.  Charlotte has come to be my favorite (shh don't tell)!  Even though her favorite word is "no" she has a lot of spunk and is hilarious!  She is fascinated by the "spots" on my arms (freckles).  She doesn't have spots (or so she says in her British accent).  Francesca is sweet but is always needing approval and attention which can be draining.  Overall though I think we will get along just fine.

I am fascinated by their schedule... it is a bit different than in America.  The family has breakfast together then the kids have lunch, which is usually pretty big.  Then they have a smaller meal at "tea time." They have their baths and some milk and then it is off to bed.  Then the parents (and me) make dinner and sit and enjoy it.  It may be a late dinner (around 8:30-9) but it is peaceful and very nice.

I have enjoyed the food so far.  Nothing terribly out of the ordinary.  Look for some of the differences in a later post.

I think that should do it for tonight... I did go for a walk around town today and I will add some photos below...

 this is the house I'm staying in...