Maxime letting Gabriel win

It has been wonderful to watch Maxime grow "into" Gabriel.

Before, Maxime saw Gabriel as an infant, or even later, as a boy just still too small to do things with. Now, it is different, and he sees Gabriel as his generous little brother, to have fun with (lots), and to look after as well.

As Gabriel reached that magic threshhold of a certain age, height, speed and understanding — not to mention acquiring the momentous and all-important ability to manipulate Lego figurines without dismantling them in the process — Maxime magically blossomed into a kind, attentive older brother.

These days I am really sometimes caught off-guard by Maxime's actions, as he genuinely looks after Gabriel. He even lets him win races, deliberately staying a stride or two back, but not giving away that he is doing it on purpose. To the contrary, he makes it seem to Gabriel as if he is going as fast as he possibly can...