I took Ysabeau to the indoor playpark at our rec centre. Like many new parents my little heart cringes if/when I see her rejected by a potential playmate on the floor. She never seems to bothered. Usually it is a 7 year old boy who frankly doesn't see much Power Ranger potential in her (little do they know). But then my heart leaps that later in the afternoon her 8 year old cousin Emma will come to play with her after school and all will be well. Despite fights and fall-outs and a significant age different, they are family and that matters the most! In one of my favorite parenting books Hold on To Your Kids (Neufeld and Mate), the authors explain that cousins are more like siblings, than simply friends, and this distinction makes all the difference.
She is going to Emma's birthday next week.
Ysa: "NO. it's MY birthday.
Me: No, it's Emma's
Ysa: No, it's Jesus' birthday.
Me: No, it's Emma's and we will bring a present for her.
Ysa: Ok. But don't forget a present for Jesus.
Ysa: "NO. it's MY birthday.
Me: No, it's Emma's
Ysa: No, it's Jesus' birthday.
Me: No, it's Emma's and we will bring a present for her.
Ysa: Ok. But don't forget a present for Jesus.
Speaking of family, Ysabeau delights in feeding the ones she loves. Here again, she is showing how faith and everyday life have not yet been separated (nor should they necessarily) in her brain. She offers my agnostic sister (who has incredible good humour for the spiritual comments of her little niece) a sandwich from her kitchen - "Would you like the Bread of Life?".
Lest I forget about little Xavier. He continues to gain weight and smile. He does those things really well.
Yes- that is her name written on her pacifier. It makes her feel better knowing that Xavier won't confuse it for his.