Today’s post is a completely self-indulgent excuse to show you my other two children–the furry ones.   I used to take pictures of my cats all the time BK (Before Kids,) but the kitties have been photographically neglected for years.  Tonight, I was surprised to discover several cat videos on my Flip camera.  My son’s been busy!  He took this picture of the feline matriarch of the family, Gina.  She’s a spry 17 year-old who loves, loves, loves people.  My Madeline isn’t pictured, but she looks exactly the same.  She’s Gina’s ornery 16 year-old daughter.   Can’t blame old age, she’s always been a grump.  (Love her anyway!)   Madeline is named after my favorite children’s book character . . . the girl who lived in that old house in Paris, covered in vines . . . 

They say a cat has nine lives, so today let’s learn nine ways to say “cat” in foreign languages:

1.  French:  le chat

2.  Spanish:  el gato

3.  German:  die Katze

4.  Portuguese:  o gato

5.  Italian:  il gatto

6.  Norwegian:  katten

7.  Polish:  kot

8.  Dutch:  de kat

9.  Hungarian:  a macska

Want to add on to the cat list?  Feel free to comment with your favorite world language.

Speaking of Siamese cats, I’d like to recommend the children’s book Minou, by Mindy Bingham.  (Minou means Kitty in French.)

I’ve read this book (in English) to my French students for years and years.  It’s an empowering story of a cat’s independence on the streets of Paris.  I use the gorgeous watercolor illustrations by Itoko Maeno as a culture lesson.  It’s great for identifying monuments, and I personally love looking at that gorgeous Minou who looks so much like my babies!

This Mother’s Day, let Mom know she’s the best in the world!  Learn how to say Mother in these twelve world languages:

Moeder, Moer (Dutch)
Mère, Maman (French)
Mutter (German)
Màna (Greek)
Ma, Maji (Hindi)
Anya (Hungarian)
Madre, Mamma (Italian)
Okaasan, Haha (Japanese)
Matka, Mama (Polish)
Mat’ (Russian)
Madre, Mamá (Spanish)
Mati (Ukranian)

Please post to keep the list growing!  Consider using these phrases to create a unique “Best Mom in the World” craft, card, or keepsake.  Visit this article for ideas:

Read more: “International Mother’s Day Gifts: Crafts for the Best Mom in the World”

Want to make a French or Spanish Mother’s Day card?  Homemade is best!  Check out these downloads for vocabulary lists, French and Spanish quotes, and card templates:

French Mother’s Day Card

Spanish Mother’s Day Card

Happy Mother’s Day!

 
Image Credit:  by Adrian Yee at  http://www.sxc.hu/photo/698517

Amazing deal on an effective tool for language classes. Only $59.99: Flip Video Ultra Series Camcorder, 30-Minutes (White)

It’s hard to believe that it is almost 2009!  Time to bring out the party hats and noise makers to ring in the New Year.  Since having kids, my New Year’s celebrations have taken on a whole new vibe.  Instead of paying top dollar for a sitter and hitting the town, I like to stay home and let my little guys join in the fun.  But since I will NOT allow them to stay up until midnight, we celebrate in a different time zone.  Click here to read about my annual French New Year’s celebration.  We wish everyone a Bonne Année when it’s midnight in France, but still early here in Eastern Standard Time.  We feast on French food, as well as some original New Year’s cookies.

I’d like to wish you a Happy New Year in a dozen different languages.  Feel free to comment with a New Year greeting in other languages, too.  I’ll be taking a little blogging break until after the New Year.  May your 2009 be filled with blessings and happiness

French:  Bonne Année!

Spanish: Feliz año nuevo

German: Ein glückliches neues Jahr

Italian: Buon anno

Czech: Stastny Novy Rok

Finnish: Onnellista uutta vuotta

Portuguese: Feliz ano novo

Dutch: Gelukkig nieuwjaar

Hebrew: Shana Tova

Polish: Szczesliwego Nowego Roku

Thai: Sawatdee Pi Mai

Hungarian: Boldog uj evet

Photo Credit: by xymonau at http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1123224

In celebration of the apple season, I’ve prepared a fun little worksheet and coloring page to test your kids’ knowledge of world languages.  Just click and print: apples-around-the-world

Don’t worry if you don’t know the word for “apple” in Norwegian (I had to look it up, too!)  There’s an answer key at the bottom.

Consider the apples worksheet a free gift from Foreign Language House at Lulu.com.  We’re still working behind the scenes to create more downloadable language learning e-books.  (Another fall tradition–Homecoming Week–has me a little behind on the work schedule!) Stop by and visit often to see what we’ve got cookin’!

Enjoy “Apples Around the World” and enjoy the fall season wherever you live

Photo Credit:  by Preban Hansen http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1080786