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While we didn't notice immediately that many were in a somber mood at this Saturday's Brighton Farmers' Market, we were told rather quickly and quietly that the Prime Minister of Barbados, the Honourable David Thompson, aged 48, had succumbed to pancreatic cancer and died early Sunday morning. We are not citizens, so we did not vote for him, but his presence had been everywhere. Many on the island felt like they knew him and many very well did. He was a people's Prime Minister though his government struggled to make effective policy and I dare say he was beloved.
He will be buried in a state funeral on Wednesday, November 3rd at the Kensington Oval, a cricket stadium and the day has been declared a national day of mourning. Either soft rock or religious music plays on the radio on all stations and government offices, schools, and stores will close during the funeral and some for the entire day. I am just heartbroken that his wife and three children are left without the husband and father they loved. He was the same age as my honeybun. Love your people. Tell them you do.
(c) Copyright 2010. City Mom in the Jungle.
As we often do on Friday afternoons into evenings, the family packed up in the car and went to Zaccio's for Happy Hour. The girls get the chance to coat themselves like sugar donuts in sand and seawater and the parents have as many cocktails, beers, or glasses of wine as they can before time is up. Tonight we went to celebrate our friend Chris's birthday and a huge group of us, 15 in all, with what seemed like 100 children with all that chatter and glass clinking and running around, sat down for dinner. We had a truly great time until Virginie ate her hot dog and French fries and got energized like we'd never seen before. She ran all over that restaurant and back to me and all over and back to me. She didn't make too much noise, no violent outbursts or screams, but I was not able to sit down to eat or drink or share adult conversations.
I was never one of those people who got angry with people who brought their children out to eat in family style restaurants. The truth is, they will never learn if you don't show them how and family or casual style restaurants are the right place to do so. After all my years at the front podium in upscale restaurants in Manhattan as maitre d', however, I will tell you that those places, no matter how early in the evening, are just not appropriate. I love kids. I respect that people want to eat good food, have a certain experience. I support that. Get a sitter. I don't think Didier ever thought he would be eating at places like Zaccio's or even considering a TGIFridays on the island, but it works for the wees and any place with French fries, plastic cups, and lots of paper napkins works for us.
We have been blessed to find this group of people whom we genuinely like to spend time with and who have children the same age as Lily and/or close in age to Virginie. I suppose having to relocate to Barbados without children would be nightmarish unless you mean to party all the time or surf or sit on the beach. Now while I imagine that many people think that's what they want to do, try it 365 days a year. Everything in moderation. We have made more friends through relationships the girls have formed that we could have on our own and I am so grateful. Thank you, little darlings and Happy Birthday, Chris.
(c) Copyright 2010. City Mom in the Jungle.
The dreaded morning arrived and after quite a bit of stressing and a little sleep lost, I greeting the ladies and their tots at 10 am and welcomed them to a musical paradise. I'd set a mat on the floor in case of falls, put instruments passed on from previous Toddler Tunes and even provided some of my own, and reviewed the songbook. Yes, there is a songbook and I might add, it is quite extensive in the field of baby songs and call and response tunes. Coffee, juice, and water were put out to refresh dry throats and Cheerios, grapes, brownies, coconut cakes, jello candies, animal crackers and baby carrots were put out as snacks. The blue, green, and white under-the-sea theme was used for the plates and napkins, though I think that was lost on everyone but me.
As everyone introduced themselves and the kids wandered about checking out instruments and each other, I prepped my notes for the "Welcome Song." Natasha, who is in charge of the Toddler Tunes roster, helped immensely as I could not figure out the tune to this song and we got right into it. I kept making jokes about this not being American Idol and for all to drop their fears and sing for the kiddies! (That was really for me.) Kids really love it when you sing to them even if you can't carry a tune. I know this, but it still makes me shy to just burst into song. I suppose I will never be on Glee.
All the mommies were enthusiastic and I think the kiddies had a really enjoyable time. It was nice to get Virginie together with children closer in age to her than Lily and her playmates, although she seemed to ignore most of them and marched to her own beat. That's no shocker. She is only 18 months old...and she's my child. Marching to her own beat.
By noon, everyone was leaving and I felt happy and relieved that the morning was such a success. Lots of extra coffee in the pot, so iced coffee for me for the week. Nap time didn't come quickly, but when it did, that little person slept like a stone. 3 hours. Alas, after clean up, Lily arrived home excited and thrilled about her beautiful artwork done at Art Splash and there was no chance for a Mommy nap. I will sleep when I am dead.
(c) Copyright 2010. City Mom in the Jungle.
