Down by the river side

Edible glitter, kid’s champagne, beer and wine for the adults and chocolate cake - what a way to spend the afternoon.  A birthday party down by the river side - it would go one of two ways - wet kids or not that was the question.   Summer birthdays are great - to be able to celebrate you’re arrival into the world outside with the sunshine tickling you - I wish that I had arrived in the summer instead of in the depths of winter (bad planning mum). 

A lovely afternoon was had by all - Rivan and Ruby loved playing with the canoe on dry land and also climbing up the wall slope - I watched in amazement as Rivan scaled up the steep slope, thinking that he would stop soon as I could not climb up there safely to get him down and he would realise this but oh no he continued to climb until I had to tell him to stop.  We then passed him down by the scruff of his shirt - the older girls helping me as they were already up the slope.

 

 

 

 

        

Ruby just loved her jelly with edible glitter (-will have to try and track some of this down) and then we all wished Luella a happy birthday - two cakes and happy birthday sung in both French and English.  I discovered both kids have a taste for pistachio nuts - I had never really given Rivan nuts before so we watched him eat the first one checking that he had no reaction and then his hand went searching for more.

The picture that Ruby took and was really proud of - "look mummy you can see all of your head in that picture!"

The canoe then went out on the water and one of the fathers very kindly took Ruby, Rivan and me out in the boat - at first I was a little apprehensive about us all going out on the water - Ruby had a life jacket on but they were too big for Rivan but felt reassured by James who has a daughter himself and has been out on the water many times so we climbed aboard and had a enchanting paddle down the river.  The kids thought it was wonderful, watching the reflections in the water, putting their hands over the side to feel the wave the canoe made and being afloat in the middle of the river.  They both wanted to paddle of course and our guide provided entertainment and paddling advice while he took us down and up the river - we thank him for this!

With Karen leaving to go to the UK for a month - to do a TEFL intensive course I took the opportunity to stay a little longer than normal - the kids were happy watching others go out in the boat and Ruby wanted a go at toasting a marsh mallow on the fire.  Finally with the 'tired line' crossed for Ruby we headed home - great afternoon and great friends!

Comments

[minutepapillon]

Looks like you had a good time. I remember navigating down the dordogne BC (before child) on one of them and loved it! A pity there's no picture of you three on the boat. Was Ben working?