April 2020

The month of creativity birthed from lots of time at home with very concentrated jaunts outside. One appreciates the sun, leaves, flowers and limited outdoor play abundantly when they are not as accessible.

The entire month of April, we were confined to our homes. We also celebrated Easter, and I directed an Easter film =).

Daphné was a craft, coloring and drawing machine. I really believe this confinement gave her a deep love for coloring and drawing. She sure did A LOT of it.

Making use of our local play area just a one-minute walk from our place. The kids each found a bamboo stick, and lots of games and play ensued.

Django was enamored with Papa’s technology, while Tonio was setting up to record worship from one of our Sunday church services. He loves his papa so much.

Guitar lesson.

One of our star actresses in our Easter play. Daphné played a few roles, but her main role was Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus’ faithful followers. She loved Jesus so much and was devastated when He died on the cross, but was overjoyed when He came back to life the third day. She was one of the first people Jesus talked with when He rose again. What an amazing privilege!

If you would like to watch the Easter play, you can view it here. It is in French without subtitles. Ooo, maybe that could be a future project…hmmm =).

Easter meal with Pierre and Nancy. Families were not allowed to get together for Easter this year because of confinement restrictions. So, we considered it a HUMUNGOUS blessing to be able to hang out with Pierre and Nancy the whole time since we live in the same building. [They also took the kids almost everyday to give me a few hours of sanity… thank you guys!!!]

Science class with Mamie and Papi. They have a yard on the ground floor, which is always so great for the kids to let off some steam and find snails and dig in the dirt, etc…

I dub thee King Citrus. Haha. You snooze you lose. Daphné and I had fun taking pictures of him with different props. In another photo, he had a magic wand and fancy crown.

Nature walk in the city.

Spring was in full bloom - aren’t these Wisteria flowers beautiful? They are at the little villa directly across from our apartment. And the kiddos are in full bloom too. Just look at those two. I want to squish them!

Glimpses of a teenager. She looks so old in the photo. Daphné cherished her hours and hours with her Mamie Nancy. It was a special season for grandmother-granddaughter bonds.

Caged animals. Papi Pierre took this photos when he went out for his walk. We were obviously playing in the play area, once again, by our home.

The Petrignani family by Daphné Christiane Petrignani. Django and I didn’t really win in the “nose department.” haha

Another rendition of the Petrignani family. It was Daphné’s idea, but my hot glue gun skills were demanded. We observed that in our family, we each have different colored hair.

And when cooped up inside all day for a whole month, mom doesn’t care if the oldest child is wearing socks and sandals and jumping in puddles. These guys had SO much fun. And Daphné’s friend Florence joined us, because she lives just next to this empty parking lot. Her dad also didn’t mind his daughter’s wet socks. And Django fell a few times, so his whole bottom half was soaked. He was thrilled!!!

I thank the Lord for His patience with us (with me). I admit that I complained a lot during this month. It just seemed never-ending, but it was moments like the ones captured above that gave me joy and hope to keep moving forward. I wouldn’t want to be cooped up with anyone else in the whole, wide world than with my Tonio, Daphné and Django. What a fun crew! I am so blessed. Thank you Jesus!

Love Linz