Le Carnaval!

One exciting French school event that we have recently learned about is the annual carnaval. The title "carnival" may sound like a huge event, but really it is quite simple. It's just a time for the kids to dress up and throw confetti, and for the parents to come watch them parade around in their costumes and visit with one another. Both of our kids' recently had their carnivals: Micaiah's being at the end of February, and Miriam'sjust last Friday. The theme for Miriam's carnival was "les animaux" (animals, in case you couldn't figure that out). I asked her what animal she wanted to be, and she immediately said, "un cheval", sans hesitation. I tried to convince her that it might be a little easier for her mommy to come up with a costume for her if she would just be a cat, but she was pretty set on being a horse. So this mommy is very thankful for the Internet which gave me the idea of how to make a horse costume out of a box, something that we have in great supply around here these days following our recent move across the ocean.

With Micaiah's carnaval being in February just after our move and the same day as the Repas Agape, I'm afraid it snuck up on us rather suddenly, and we had to do some quick work of pulling together anything we could find. Grandma Bixby came to the rescue with some props she had stored away for various skits over the years.True to form, Michée (Micaiah's name in French) posed as a good 'ol American cowboy. Believe it or not, he wasn't the only American cowboy at the carnaval, but I think he might have been the only truly American, American cowboy. :)

One great benefit to both of these occasions is that they have provided yet another opportunity for us to make friends with the other families at the kids' schools. In fact, one mom that I just met last week has invited me over for tea, and wants to give me some baby clothes for Zacharie. I'll be visiting with her in her home tomorrow. Thank you for your continued prayers with these opportunities.