The Big Letdown

Unlike the semi-final match this evening where South Africa slaughtered Argentina, last night's semi-final between England and France was neck and neck, right down to the wire. First the English led, then the French, and then, finally, the English. A low-scoring game, and fantastic to watch. We got a babysitter and off we went, into an English pub, the English on the ground floor, and the French fans on the 2nd floor. What a scene.
But, it was not meant to be.
The best part of the night was Thomas and I going hime on my bike shortly after midnight, me on the seat holding my legs slightly bent and out to the sides, him pedaling standing straight up in front of me. We whizzed along thru the streets of the old town, giggling and weaving around the pedestians. Just like the old days (and nights) of our busy social life B.E. (before Estelle). It was all so exhilirating, despite the rugby loss - but unlike times of yester year, this evening's bike ride home included a pit stop at the ATM to get cash to pay the babysitter. Ah, reality.
And so, here are photos of some happy moments this weekend. Estelle playing with Elliot (remember Elliot, the little boy chewing on her hands at the Epiphany party back at the start of the year?). Here is the old photo of them for January:

We love Elliot, who, like Estelle, is the child of a foreigner mother (she is Dutch). Like Estelle, Elliot lives in 2 different languages, and, like Estelle, Elliot also has learned sign language to help hearing babies commuicate quicker. Elliot, who walked at 10 months, is only 6 weeks older than Estelle, but he can run circles around her now, and recognizes and produces 40 signs, whereas Estelle has 10 or so.
Other friends Estelle visited this weekend are Zack and Madison, "uncle" Craig and Doug's hungarian veeschlas at their Mougins villa.