Bonne fête!

A showery day, but mostly quite bright and sunny. Today is Alice's name day here in France. Every day of the year is dedicated to a particular saint, and it is traditional to celebrate the name days here, with a card and small gift. Today is the day for Saint Alice. On the television and radio, often when they broadcast the weather forecast, they say "bonne fête à ...", and today it's the turn of Alices everywhere!

Our Alice didn`t know about this, although she knew Nicolas had had a fête day a couple of weeks ago. She was somewhat surprised and confused to see two wrapped presents and a card when she came downstairs this morning! I thought it was a good opportunity to give her a couple of presents that we don't need to take home to Guernsey, and we can therefore leave them here. 2 paris of boots! Not the most exciting for a 7 year old, although she seems pretty happy with both pairs. One a black pair of Hello Kitty boots to wear to school and everywhere, and the other a lovely pair of warm (sheepskin-like linings!) wellies - perfect for the garden, rain, snow etc.

So, being her fête day, we had to mark it doing something she liked doing, so, yes, we went back to la patinoire this morning! She's gradually getting better and more confident each time she skates - and managed to cross the rink twice this morning without holding on to anything or anybody, and without falling. Excellent!

We had our usual lovely roast dinner, then Nicolas arrived, complete with a "bonne fête Alice" greeting and a cute little present. They were playing together when my google calendar reminded me we had to leave for a "spectacle" for the family at the Kerfot church. I went to Nicolas' house to collect her, and whilst Nicolas and his mum cast some doubt, I was certain, and even asked if Nicolas could come too. So back home to fetch our coats, I just checked the piece of paper. Oh. Yesterday! Hmm. Je me suis trompée - as I had to go back and explain to his mum. M was quite relieved as it meant he went back upstairs!

Later this afternoon, whilst Alice and Nicolas were playing, M asked her what they were doing (in English of course). She replied to him in French! :-)