Fete de Bois

Michael had his big day - the Fete de Bois - a 60 year tradition in which all kindergarten classes (two years) of Lausanne march in a parade from the upper Montbenon park down to Milan Park, complete with marching bands, a clown, and proud parents of the city looking on.
Each class adopted a theme and costume, then processed in alphabetical order by school.

Michael's school - Montriond - adopted a Chinese theme, marking the Beijing Olympics. We wondered what was going on when Michael told us sometime ago, "I get to wear a long braid and a dragon."

Carolyn got some ideas for Halloween costumes.

Through the tunnel by the train station.

When Michael's class passed his school, dozens of older children began shouting, "MONTRIOND! MONTRIOND!" Then they entered Milan Park, which had been set up with free carnival rides and food for a private party of 5 & 6 yr olds until evening.

Got outfitted in the classroom first.

Michael's cahiers (notebook). These are "home jobs" - you buy a simple bound notebook and cover it.

Entries from Michael's cahier over the year:
Entry #1: self-portrait
Christmas
Michael's hook was conveniently next to the door.

Although he sort of dug his heels in French class, we are proud of how he threw himself in a foreign setting all year. I did the same when moving from a Japanese-speaking home to kindergarten in Gardena, CA. Last year, when asked how he knew what to do, he replied, "I just look around and see what everyone else is doing and I do the same thing." Early formation of what sociologists call, a "high context culture."

Not a bad skill to have, but, no more of that.

BRAVO!