Dear Jasmina

Marie-Hélène is so tiny, everyone says. It’s true. This week we’ve started swimming classes, and Marie-Hélène like every other kid who is not a child of the Michelin Man family, ends up shivering. And when she’s not holding on to me with a crab-like pinch, she’s holding the noodle right to her chest. “Put them on their tummies, if you can!” the teacher says, and Marie-Hélène’s little bum floats up like a buoy, her legs tightly folded under her like a frog. “She’s so small!” the teacher says. And Marie-Hélène, when I hand her to the teacher, to slide down the little slide, stays compact like a ball… You’re not helping dispel those comments there, sweet pea! But we find you to be the cutest little swimmer yet!