MESSAGE BBQ

The next day, we had the very fortunate occasion to be invited to a friend, fellow MESSAGE member and colleague (she’s MESSAGE’s president) place for a BBQ. Actually, it was their country house, about an hour’s drive from where we were. It wasn’t terribly hot, but we were lucky with the weather as it wasn’t raining… not until all the food had been cooked and eaten anyway. It was a nice drive, the girls fall asleep on the way (thank god for drugs – the girls get so car sick these days…). We did stop to get some delicious cherries and flowers for our hostess. The country side air always smells so different. So fresh, flowerly and such a ‘good for you’ feeling. It was a little bit ‘frais’ though … ie cold, but the girls solved that problem… by running all over the garden, exploring the wonderful toys and adventures that could be found in their new playarea. We were the first family to arrive, but all the other execom members and their family followed soon after. Bibou was especially thrilled to see Louise and stuck on to her for most of the afternoon. The two girls play so well together. Running and chasing each other and being targeted by the older boys. Daddy as usual, broke out his guitar, and everyone had a musical time, esp K. as she loves singing along with Daddy. Bibou was a wonderful accompanist, as always. I do hope she will continue to enjoy music and dancing when she grows up. She does like it a lot right now, always singing, not necessarily ‘conventional’ songs like the ones she has been taught, either at school or at home, but she also loves to make songs up as she accompanies Daddy (well, maybe it’s the other way round eh, Daddy makes up a song as she sings up a storm). Seraphine is always off dancing on her own.

Something I noticed that day that sealed my conviction that having a second child was my best decision ever made. We were sat at the ‘adults’ table chatting and drinking / snacking when we heard a little commotion. As far as we can tell, Seraphine had probably done a boo-boo like pushing the younger Giselle (whose second name, btw was also Seraphine) when she couldn’t get her way. Immediately, Giselle’s brother and another boy (who was ‘tight’ with the brother) confronted Seraphine. You can tell from the photo that the boys were aggressive towards her (not physically though despite the ‘gun’) and they were ‘scolding’ her. She had a most bewildered look on her face, not quite sure how to react. However, Bibou did. She immediately, stood over Seraphine, and was very protectively. She had her arms up and was staring intensely at the boys, making sure that they didn’t do anything to her. And then she just yelled at the kids (I couldn’t hear what she said), and the boys then moved away. She then scooped Seraphine up into her arms and hugged her and soothed her, making sure she was alright. She did me most proud. I was actually moved to tears. And this is not a one-off thing, I saw it again recently at a park in Paris. Seraphine was on a structure and I think had been accidentally (or purposefully, I don’t know) hit by a rowdy boy. Bibou immediately took her into her arms, protecting her, putting her behind her own back and then proceeded to scold the boy. It is what I’ve always hoped for, that the girls will be protective of each other regardless of the situation. Protect first and ask questions later.

What a wonderful day. And Bibou was in 7th heaven as she was allowed to pick flowers and wear them too!