Le Carnaval -- Year 3

In our last year here, I'm starting to finally figure all of this out...important things...like what to expect at elementary school sponsored activities.  And here in France, one of the most important in the mind of any school-age child, is the Carnaval.

My first year here I was overwhelmed by the chaotic, unorganized nature of the event...totally stunned that all the hype was for the two second stroll the kids did wearing costumes.  Is there a PTA I can join, my americanness wanted to know...why is there no program or purpose when all these parents took time off of work to come see this?

Last year I couldn't get over how kids literally strutted one by one, runway-style on wobbly tables set up in the  school recess area.  Where are the helmets, my americanness cried out...this is not safe...not to mention the idea of a cat-walk for 5, 6, 7 year olds.    

But this year, I've got it down.  I knew it was going to mass chaos and parents would be pushing each other trying to get pictures.  I knew that the lack of organization/program of any sort would have kids acting crazy which would incite the teachers to yell.  I knew kids would step up to walk on flimsy, preschool tables jerry-rigged-attached so as to create a poor-man's runway.

And I caught myself, having a moment as I snapped pictures of this annual event, laughing at how all of that wasn't affecting me this year.  BECAUSE I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.  And that's the thing with expectations.  So because I didn't have any this year, I wasn't disappointed.  I enjoyed the event for what it was. I enjoyed it because I had the cutest cowboy and Indian on the eastern side of the Atlantic.  That's right, we went ahead and fulfilled all American stereotypes.   Except for me.  The stereo-typical american need for organization, a big budget, an exciting program, and a wow-factor...I let that go.  Maybe that's why this year, I had fun too!

You know that look:  When your child finally finds you in the sea of parents and chaos--you call his name, he searches the crowd recognizing your voice and then when he sees you his face lights up.  It's one of my favorite things about being a Mom.