little girl, big instrument

one day at the end of year 1, eldest came home all excited because she had been introduced to the double bass (contrabas (!)). some boys in her year group had made fun of her & said she was too small to play the double bass but she had protested, the teacher had supported her, and there we were - eldest proclaimed firmly she is very good at playing double bass and she wanted lessons. she may be small, she may be scared of dogs, swimming, flies, and all sorts, but if she wants something she is what we call determined.

a double bass for a girl 1 metre tall. hmm.

the teacher suggested she should get a 16th size one (not for sale or rent anywhere)

after one summer of searching the entire country we ended up with an 8th size. the people from the shop told me they could turn it around in 2 days once i had signed on the dotted line. i made the mistake of telling eldest (a difficult mistake to avoid, if you ask me, given that since july she had been asking on a daily basis when her double bass would arrive)

instead of 2 days, it took them 3 weeks (not their fault, they're lovely, etc)

the first week, every day eldest would be all expectant 'i wonder what came in the post for me today....' (big smiley face)

the second week, 'do you think they brought my double bass today??' (pretty sceptical sad face)

the third week 'i know there will not be a double bass in the post for me today. luckily, i'm patient!' (adorable)

on monday morning i was about to drive off to work when i looked outside & started to **!! 'what is that van doing blocking my way ou............... ELDEST!!! i reckon this must be your double bass!!! :-)

we ran outside and decided we could be late for school & work. last night she practised the A and the D string in pizzicato and with the bow. when i checked on her before i went to bed, as always, she was talking in her sleep. 'she liked my double bass'

life is bliss.