How Old Should A Flower Girl Be?

I am told 6 years is a good age.

At least that is what my cousin was when she was our flower girl.

And that is the age my friend's flower girl was.

In both instances, the weddings went without a hitch.

From all accounts, 6 is the age a kid can take instructions from an adult and be relied upon to comply without trying to test the boundaries.

And testing boundaries is one of Beth's favourite pastimes.

Like last Sunday. It was her 2nd flower girl engagement (not bad for a 3-year-old) and the first time she had to role play "big sister" to the other flower girl, who is all of 19 months.

Beth and the rest of the wedding party made it down the aisle well enough, but after the strains of Pachelbel's Canon had died away and everyone's eyes were fixed on the bride and groom, the fun began.

Mummy wasn't sure whether to intervene (and draw more attention to the mischief-maker) or refrain (and be judged a negligent mum) when Beth wiggled her way to the front of the altar right next to the bride, and gazed adoringly upwards at her while the pastor was giving the homily. From time to time, she would pat the bride's gown and fuss with the train.

Mummy decided to be invisible.

At least this time Beth didn't sit on the steps of the altar and flash at the well-wishers, like she did 6 months ago at Godma's wedding.

Later that evening, Beth discovered that running around with the page boys was a lot more fun than sittting in her high chair having dinner with the adults.

Aunty Chris, yummy mummy and unflappable mother of the boys, came by to report this nugget at the end of the evening:

"I told the older boy, 'You must be gentle when playing with girls.'
He said, 'But the girl is rough!'
'Be that as it may, you should always be gentle when playing with girls.'
He protested, 'But then I'll lose!'

We laughed at his innocent logic. He is probably right. Beth is NOT one of the girls. She's one of the BOYS.