Today was a big day in Seb's life. After about 2 months or so, the "Council of Elders" finally met and decided to knight him. We (well, his parents) felt that his behaviour had come a long way from the gloomy days of June & July (not to mention January and April and...). As you might recall, the 4 key qualities of a "good" knight are: bravery (going to sleep alone), honesty (always telling the truth, playing fair, etc), cooperation (being a team member, having listening ears open), and respect (not hitting when one gets angry).
He must have wanted it badly because he agreed to the traditional bath that a page takes the night before he is knighted, as well as the traditional period of reflection that one has on the eve of the ceremony (his was only 5 minutes and he kept calling out that he had forgotten what he was supposed to be thinking about). He didn't have to swear undying loyalty to his parents; he does that already by solemnly telling me that he is never ever going to leave any of us. Very sweet; gives me a lump in my throat every time.
His full regalia is comprised of:- silver foam sword
- silver helmet with visor (made by doting grandparents who spray-painted a firefighter's helmet and to which mum will add his insignia - see below)
- chain mail under-helmet (doting nana knit it)
- white & blue tunic (which should fit till he is 8!)
- Hi-ho Henry - his hobbyhorse
- forthcoming Canadian Shield (the master shieldmaker must make a Canadian version of the stunning purple & orange job that he did in France; Seb has yet to decide on his Canadian insignia - though horses, lions and "orks?" have been mentioned)
Plus, Zia Elena and Andras bought him a foam skull-basher (one of those ball with protruding nails that swings off a chain!) that he will get when next in France.
Seb was reflecting on how it all started with a paper suit of armour and helmet. He feels like he has come up in the world. He was a happy boy and wanted to show the sword to everyone. Sophie was pleasantly amused, and pleased to hear that she never has to play the fairy princess or damsel in distress roles.
So tonight it was "Nighty night, dear knight" and off to dreamland he went.
3 comments:
We're totally stealing all of this, you realize. That's some wicked parenting!
Canadian Shield.. ha! I imagine a relief cut of rugged terrain and the giant Wawa Goose.
That comment was by Dave A., by the way. My name was somehow left off....
That is priceless! And he cuts a really nice knight figure. Strange to see the apartment in the pictures. Bojan
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