Tuesdays With Cecile

Every Tuesday, I babysit for two little girls, Cecile (age 4) and Cora (age 1). A few Tuesdays past, I surprised Cecile with a tea party, whilst her sister took her normal two-hour nap. Cecile and I shook the dust off of our "finest dresses" (mine, a little more dusty than hers), and made a go for it. In true fashion, we ate only the finest. I planned a menu which included: Quiche, Curried Pumpkin Soup, Cucumber Sandwiches, Raspberry Scones, Mascarpone Cream-Filled (and chocolate covered) Strawberries, and all sorts of desserts (bought at a local French bakery). We sipped Yorkshire tea, with cream and sugar, and filled our bellies a little too full. A little unorthodoxly, Cecile chose her desserts by plunging her little pinkies into each and every item, and remarking simply, "Good," or "No, no." At one point in the feast, nearing the end, we both looked at each other, and without a word, dropped our backs to the grass and stretched in the sun, trying to make more room for food; her giggling all the while. It was a sunny, and lovely, afternoon, and in typical 4-year-old fashion, Cecile made quite a display of her food and drink upon the sheet which we sat, saying hurriedly, "You can wash it!" after any and all spills. I can't believe that I get paid to have tea parties with this kid. Such a nice day.