Camp and Seph's Birthday

April 10 -20

The major part of this period is that the school term finished, just as well as we were all pretty tired – sound like everyone in N.Z.? The last 2 days of the term Hermione had camp - €97 for 1 night and 2 days!!!! The class went to Mont D’Or about 1 hour away and is on the Swiss border. They went to a recycling place and Hermione’s group had to construct a compost bin. She really enjoyed it as they had to drill holes and hammer it all together. It was also a mental challenge which suited her fine. A spontaneous pyjama parade up and down the corridor in the dark with the torches flashing on and off for spotlights – boys and girls.

She came back very tired as usual after camp and slept a long time on the Saturday morning.

On the Saturday the 18th we spent the day preparing for Seph’s birthday party tomorrow, we made cakes and jelly (to give all the kids a taste of N.Z.) she was very excited. Seph had invited 15 girls and about 11 of them had told her they were coming to the party but we were unsure about the others. Not one parent bothered to RSVP as was asked on the invite. Maybe they were reluctant to phone because of the language – but they could have jotted a quick note to say Oui/Non.
Anyway the big day arrived and Seph was flitting around and asking the time every 5 minutes. The decorations went up and we waited. Incredibly only 3 turned up ( 2 were our good friends so really only 1)!!! It was incredibly sad – Seph was devastated and of course it affected us all how upset she was. All the games she wanted to play were difficult with such a small number – we had far too many layers on Pass the Parcel – too much food etc. Nev and I were at a loss to understand it – it isn’t right not to reply and incredibly rude to ignore an invitation. My impression of French people has tumbled greatly. That is 14 families that just ignored and ruined a little girl’s birthday.

I think this has made a huge impression on Seph and she now says “that everyone in her class hates her” not that she is back at school yet (holidays). I do wonder what the first Monday will bring. I know that she is really looking forward to going home and all her friends there. This has been a tough time socially for her.

On Monday the 20th we gave Seph her presents from us – early because on the 21st we are heading away early. She got some Summer clothes and a game, music CD and a DVD. Hermione gave her another Littlest Pet Shop. At her request we had a fondue bourguignon for tea and lots of jelly, Serradurra and cake!