I would like to apologise….   Earlier in the summer I shared some translation tools for first aid issues abroad. If you are like me and not a linguist and more of a ‘have a go’ person then this translation tool is the language assistance needed if you experience an emergency abroad, because you can show it to the person helping you. So why am I apologising? Because it has come to light that whilst we covered the more serious medical issues we have missed out more day-to-day medical translations, that, had I had them this last few weeks may well have saved my blushes. Lady French Pharmacist I apologise, I will do better next year.   We took our 4 to France, I don’t think you can ever describe taking 4 under 7’s away on a holiday – but its warmer and its acceptable to drink a glass of wine with lunch every day….   The villa had an amazing sound system… whilst I dream about cool sunbathing music, the reality is Lion King & Frozen tracks being played loud enough for everyone in the local neighbourhood to be able to hear. “Do you wanna build a snowman…”?   3 Days in; my 4 year old has an ear infection – relentless jumping into the pool has left her with an ear glowing like a beacon and an attitude of a grumpy teenager. Cue our first (yep there are many) trips to the French speaking pharmacist. Whilst I mime and point at her ear and make ‘ouch’ noises the pharmacist looks at the glowing lobe of my 4 year olds ear. Away from our regular ‘banana medicine’ we are treated to in-ear drops.   France provides us with all sorts of delicacies; most are terribly bad for someone trying to regain some sort of pre-twin pregnancy figure. Our local patisserie was divine and we had to take a daily trip to inhale the bread smell and Pain au Chocolat yummyness. Give 11-month old babies a diet of bread, and more bread, cheese, and then throw in some bananas and twin 1 has not been for a number 2 for three days. I’m back at the pharmacy; this time miming constipation whilst being observed by glamorous French women shopping for face creams costing more than I spend on nappies in a year. The pharmacist is looking concerned, whilst I’m pointing at the baby and continuing my mime. We got there and Twin 1 with some medicinal magic is back to working order.   Calpol, is the ‘magic medicine’ in our house. On holiday we ran out right when the babies are sprouting, rather grumpily, some new teeth…. I’m back in the pharmacy looking for paracetomol suspension in my best French. I’m dreadful. We opt for my Auntie visiting from the UK to bring a bottle in her bag.   Whilst we are on teeth, our eldest seems to like loosing teeth in France; perhaps it’s the generosity of the tooth fairy providing 2 Euros? This year he lost 2! My French for Tooth Fairy is decidedly absent, the excitement of a potential ‘La tooth fairy’ visit provided a moderate reduction in sibling bust ups.   In the holiday spirit I tried Oysters. The twins discovered chocolate brioche and the eldest had his first ever sip of Coca Cola. (We are VERY bad parents) On the way home we confirmed that the children knew that Coca Cola was a special treat just for the holidays (and hoping nothing to do with the quick exit of 2 teeth) and its back to plain old water when we get home. “What about your Wine Mummy? Is that just for holidays too?” – You got me there.   Feeling reflective whilst I replenish the depleted First Aid Kit (seriously, sand castle blisters, rubbing crocs, skipping incidents all used masses of plasters!!) Would I holiday in France with 4 again? Absolutely, we LOVED it. Only next year my Mini First Aid translation guide will be bigger and better.