I love kids

I think that my first babysitting was when I was around 14... 

My sister was the one who was doing it, but one night, two families called home, so I went.

And I stopped before moving to Lyon, end of the studies, don't know when and where I will find a job, I stopped babysitting, and, in the same time, put my yellow shirt back to my closet, bye bye scouts. 

I followed a family during 7 years, or maybe more, how old is Eloi now ?

The first time I went there, Eloi, the last baby boy, was just few months old. Now, he is in Junior High and is around 11 y.o...

I saw him growing up, learning to walk, to speak, then going to school, read... So strange ! 

Through this family we met a lot of others, and saw the kids growing up years after years...

As you know, gastronomy is very important in France, and all year long, we find occasions to cook. 

In January, the first Sunday is Epiphany, and so, to celebrate it, we share a special cake made of almonds, the Galette des Rois. Inside, a lucky charm is hidden. The one who finds it is the King or Queen, and has to choose his/her Queen/King. In the very old time, the lucky charm was a bean, this is why in french, it's the same word (fève). You can eat that cake during the entire month of January.

Then, you stop, because of the crepes : in France, February "means" crepe (and, ok, also chocolate because of Valentine's Day) because of the Chandeleur (Presentation of Jesus at the Temple) and Mardi Gras (this year it's in March).

Because Mardi Gras announce the Lent, you're free to eat all the things you love before entering in the Lent during 40 days. Another good reason to cook awesome things (believe me, it's impossible to cook our crepes outside France, my sister tried in Montreal and said that, even if she was doing the same recipe, hers were disgusting !)

And then, April, and so Easter and all the chocolates. Do I talk about french chocolates ?

Fortunately, there is a little stop between April (Easter) and Summer ! Usual, after Easter, everybody is thinking about a little diet before the Summer ! 

In the Summer, no special occasion to cook, except "Summer". It is so good to cook with vegetables and fruits of this season !! 

You may have special celebrations in late September, after the grapes harvests... But it concerns only few regions of France...

And then, we're back to the special food around November, when we celebrate the Beaujolais Nouveau. To celebrate the new wine, we "need" to cook some special dinners. When I was in Lyon, the University cooked us a typical meal of Lyon to go with this wine (the Beaujolais is from Burgundy, and, precisely, around Lyon.) It was awesome, and the afternoon class very hard !! 

And then, we're thinking about Christmas. When Mum decides to innovate, she tries her recipes on us before cooking it to Christmas. I did the same with my cupcakes and muffins. We tried different sorts during a month I think !

And of course, we have our special occasion : we are six, so six birthdays. 

Ok, my brother and sister both left home, but my sister was at home for her last birthday (March 21st), and usual, my brother leaves just after his birthday (December 28th). 

My sister's birthday and mine are for Easter... So, try to imagine the dinner..., then my Mother's is in July, and the last three are all in December ! My lil' brother opens the festivities on Dec. 4th, then my Dad on 22nd, then Christmas, then my big brother on 28th, and, New Year's Eve... We're happy to have some diet on January...

via

Anyway, my post is about kids, not food !

Last Sunday, we first met an ancient co-worker of Dad for a brunch in Paris. It was very good. Then, my parents organized a slunch at home with neighbours, to share a Galette. One couple came with their last son, Vincent, 7 y.o-in-9-months. 

That boy is soooo cute !

This couple has only two kids, Agathe who is 14, and Vincent, who is 7 y.o-in-9-months.

I went to their home once for a babysitting, Agathe was probably 6 or 7 because Vincent wasn't born. 

Sunday, Vincent wanted to talk, and so, he first asked me how old I was. So, I answered : 24.

He looked at me with giant eyes and mouth opened. He was not believing me. So he repeat "24 ???? But, I thought you were ... like my sister, not 24 !"

So his Mum joked saying that he has a lot of girlfriends at school and that maybe he was looking for a new one. She added that maybe it won't work between he and I because he was realizing that (she whispered) "I was too old !!"

Later, he asked me if I was still growing. But he didn't use the right word. He used the french word we use for fruits and vegetables (that is pousser)... So his Mum answered sadly that no, because my parents stopped watering me ! I thought his question was adorable. 

He really wanted to speak with me, so he asked me how many centimetres I was. Believe me, with this third question, it was really hard to not laugh ! I answered him that I was 165 centimetres, and add, that for the height, it was easier to speak in meters. He thought that 165 cm was too big, and well, he realize that, it means nothing !

Our conversation ended with "Do you still go to school"

"No, I finished school more than a year ago !" 

"Whatttttttttttttttttttttttt ?" (with the same giant eyes and big opened mouth !)

"But, I thought you were ... in high school, but what about your A-Level ?"

"Well, I passed it 7 years ago !"

"Whattttttttttttttt ? It's impossible !!"

"It is ! You were not born when I passed my A-Level"

After that, he realize that no, I was not a girl for him ! Too old, plus, I already pass my A-Level !

I had a lot of fun that night !!