French, Forensics . . . and FedEx?!

Salut mes amis,

Do you like my costume? Zee name is Sophie, and I am a classic Frenchie stereotype. Oui, comme Grace Thomas, la fille américaine pour cette année 2015. Yes, I am trying to parody (ahem, "emulate") Grace Thomas, the new Girl of the Year doll who visits Paris in her story. Do you recognize the sweater and scarf that I got for Christmas? 

And yet even though I'm dressed so stereotypically, I can't help but think how cute I look. Then again, I've always been fond of berets. And, before you say that "every Parisian loves berets," they don't. My sister Juliette can't stand them, but she also likes to style her hair. I don't. I like being able to put on a hat and calling it a day.

The real reason for this post is that I was sent a package - a HUGE package all the way from America! It was so huge that I had to push it into my room with the help of both of my parents. Lifting it was definitely out of the question.

It was from my best friends, the Valdez Quintuplets! Sora, Violet, Chickadee, Zipporah, and Lorikeet had sent me a whole science lab in a box for Christmas. Well, pretty much! They sent everything from test tubes and beakers to a fire extinguisher! There were file folders, a glass thermometer, a study lamp, dinosaur models to assemble, textbooks, and storage containers to keep everything safe. They had even printed a whole stack of vintage French diagrams (of the human body, plants, the Periodic Table, etc) for my benefit; I absolutely LOVED these! 

I was so touched by such generous gifts, but not really all that surprised - these girls always go to the greatest lengths to impress me when it comes to sending gifts! They know me so well. Merci beaucoup, Violet, Zipporah, Chickadee, Sora, and Lorikeet! Thank you so much! These items will definitely help me as I pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a forensic scientist . . .

Here is a close-up photo of some of the items I was given. There are three plastic storage bins, a vintage science poster, two textbooks, a fire extinguisher (can never be too careful!), a stack of file folders, and a floral scarf . . .

There are six dinosaur models to assemble. Six! I can open my own natural history museum now.

There are two plastic storage drawers, perfect for storing the test tubes, beakers, and test tube stands. There's a wire rack, a study lamp, a glass thermometer, and then you can see some of the vintage French science diagrams . . .

My favorite gift by far was this Frozen wall hanging. I absolutely adore everything about this movie and cannot wait to add this little piece of Anna and Elsa to my room. It reads, "Only an act of true love will thaw a frozen heart," which makes me laugh. If my heart was ever frozen, it's certainly not anymore. This whole Christmas package is quite the "act of true love"! 

What's your favorite school subject? Do you like science as much as me? 

Ton amie,
Sophie  
 

Opening Christmas Presents!

Salut mes amis, 

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, it was time to open the rest of the presents! We started with our stockings filled by Père Noël, Father Christmas. I hugged my furry blue stocking with anticipation over the goodies that I'd soon find inside.

First, I handed Juliette her own pink stocking. It's always nice to be considerate of others before thinking of yourself, after all.

Reaching deep into the depths of her stocking, Juliette first pulled out a can of lemon-lime soda. Laughing hard, we both knew that this soda can was the inside joke of our own Oncle Bernard - only our Uncle Bernard would stick a can of soda in a stocking!

Next, she pulled out a pretty pink hair clip . . .

. . . and then even more hair clips tumbled out! Juliette will have fun accessorizing her hair this year.

Finally, Juliette pulled out a cross bracelet made with the loveliest of lavender beads. This will be perfect to wear to church!

Then it was my turn. Not surprisingly, I pulled out a can of grape soda first. This time, I managed to keep a straight face . . . at least for a minute anyway! I opened the can, took a swig, and immediately burst out laughing, soda bursting out my nostrils all the while.

After recovering myself, I reached in and pulled out this pair of hairbows in metallic silver. These will go great with outfits in my color scheme, oh yes!

I think Père Noël must know that we Moreau girls like to accessorize because the last thing I pulled out was a bag of jewelry. I now have a new pearl necklace . . .

. . . and a beaded heart charm bracelet perfect for Valentine's Day parties!

Next, we had two large gift bags to open from our parents.

Juliette reached into her bag and pulled out a grey sweatshirt with a genuine The Fault in Our Stars graphic on the front. "Cet sweat-shirt sera parfait à porter avec mes vêtements de danse!" Juliette was excited at finally finding the perfect sweatshirt to wear over her dance clothes.

What did nos parents find for me? I eagerly reached into my gift bag, pulling out . . .

. . . a grey and black-striped sweater, such a wardrobe staple! This will be perfect for school and Science Club meetings. I think my dad picked this one out; he has one just like it in his closet, haha!

Next, it was time to open presents sent to me by friends. This one, I was told, is from my friend Katherine.

Katherine sent me a red fleece poncho that she made herself. Merci beaucoup, Katherine! I love it. Red is certainly my color and one I definitely love to wear.

She also sent me a matching red fleece scarf, which is awesome! I'm so going to layer this over my winter coat this year.

My best friend Nathalie sent me this next one. Of course there's a bonhomme de neige, snowman, on the bag; Nathalie loves snow so much!

I can't believe my eyes! Nathalie sent me a my very own copy of my absolute favorite Harry Potter book - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! She must have seen my blog pal Charlie's post about getting her own Harry Potter book.

I can't wait to reread this treasure. Nathalie knows me so well!

Juliette handed me a silver gift box with a tag that said it was from my friend Sadie. Hmm, I didn't know Sadie was sending me a gift. Quelle surprise! 
 

Inside, I found a zodiac bracelet made for me by Sadie herself. It has all of the colors of the Leo spectrum in it; how pretty!

Here is a close-up of the bracelet. Thank you so much, Sadie! I absolutely love it and will think of you every time I wear it.

The last present was from my friend Susie! I was really reluctant to unwrap this one, not because I wasn't anticipating what was inside (because I was!). I just didn't want to tear up the wrapping paper - it had Princess Anna of Arendelle on it!

I very carefully unwrapped it, in order to save the special gift wrap for my scrapbook. Don't laugh; Frozen is the best movie ever! Queen Elsa is far superior to Princess Anna, though.

Susie sent me a holiday-themed activity book to amuse myself during these cold wintry months.

There are mazes and connect-the-dots, lots of things to keep me busy! Thank you, Susie! I will have fun with this for sure.

We received a lot of nice presents this year; I absolutely love everything! I think I'm going to go put on my new sweater, read some Harry Potter, and drink some grape soda now, hehe. Before I go, have a couple of shots of Juliette and me in front of our silvery Christmas tree.

I hope everyone who celebrated Christmas had a nice one (or had a nice whatever it is you celebrate!). Thanks for letting us share our presents with you!

What was your favorite holiday gift this past year?

Ton amie,
Sophie 

Le matin de Noël

Salut mes amis,

On Christmas morning, Juliette and I woke up to a special holiday breakfast prepared just for us by Père Noël, Father Christmas. When we saw the warm, freshly baked muffins, eggs, fruit bowl, carton of orange juice, and kettle of hot chocolate awaiting us, we felt like queens!

Doesn't everything look scrumptious?

We decided to make the most of this holiday breakfast by bringing out Isabelle and Cécile, our American Girl dolls. Because dining with dolls makes EVERYTHING special . . . right?

We really enjoyed eating by the sapin de Noël, Christmas tree, and being able to look at the pretty ornaments and lights. Or, at least I did. :P

The muffins turned out to be our favorite treats by far. They were filled with yummy chocolate chips! I think Juliette woofed down two or three, and she normally eats like a bird.

After breakfast, our parents allowed us to open one gift apiece before church services. They handed us each a large gift bag. What could be inside?

I tore into mine first, not caring in the slightest whether I ripped the tissue paper or not. Juliette always takes her time opening presents because she likes to save the wrappings.

It was a dress, a beautiful new blue dress to wear to church! I really liked its vintage look and how it reminded me of something my American Girl doll would've worn.

Juliette also received a new dress to wear to church. Hers was a beautiful satiny magenta-colored dress, complete with a white blouse to wear underneath. 

I wasted no time at all and changed into my dress immediately. Isn't it gorgeous? I love the color! Père Noël knows us both very well. My favorite color is blue, and Juliette's is definitely pink.

Juliette quickly followed suit and changed into her new dress as well, and we took a photo together before heading off to church with our parents and grandparents. We had a pile of presents beckoning to us from underneath the tree, but they would have to wait, parents' orders.

With a special holiday breakfast prepared just for us and new dresses in our signature colors, our Christmas Day was already off to a great start! I certainly couldn't ask for anything better.

What was your Christmas morning like? Did you open all of your presents right away, or did your parents make you wait? What did you get for Christmas? 

Ton amie,
Sophie