Starting School

So, tomorrow is the first day of school for the girls, and while the girls don't seem nervous, I have to admit to feeling a bit anxious. I hope they like it, I hope they make friends, I hope Zoe's French improves quickly so that she can communicate easily and not get too frustrated, I hope the schoolyard isn't too rough, I hope their teachers are nice and patient and understanding, I hope Indra doesn't need to be able to read already, I hope Anna isn't put off by cursive handwriting (still a central pillar of the French education system it seems), and the list goes on and on.
But, of course, if you think at all like me, the main question trembling on your lips is really: what are they going to eat for lunch?? Having signed them up for the lunch program (mandatory if you want them to stay at school for lunch, and no way was I having them home every day between 11.30 and 1pm) I couldn't wait to see what they would be served. This is France after all, a country that prides itself on good food and eating well. And there is no snacks allowed, so the girls will have to last from breakfast until noon without eating (a big stretch for them), and then from noon until school finishes at four pm. So they're really going to have to enjoy their lunches.
The week's menu was sent yesterday, and I'm pleased to say I didn't even recognize half of the dishes (it MUST be fancy), and I include it at the bottom of this post for your full edification. Check out Friday's menu in particular, celebrating European Day for something or other. Anyway, it remains to be seen whether the girls will actually eat and enjoy the food, and I will report back. They'll be hungry at any rate.
Of course, with the start of the girls' school comes the start of 'real life' for me and Toby. It's been 'holiday mode' up until now, with the girls with us all the time and very little time for work or our own pursuits, but tomorrow that changes, and I will have four free days a week. It's been great having all this time with the girls, but we're both looking forward to getting our teeth into some of the projects we want to pursue this year. Roll on 8.30 tomorrow morning...