yeah, but did tom sawyer ever look this clean?

Ethan, Papa and I drove to Chicago and back home all in one day. The occasion was an appointment at the French consulate where we sought our student visas. We had a delectable Italian lunch at Pizano's, which Ethan and I had discovered with Colin last June. The prices have increased by about $5 per bowl of pasta, and the portions have been halved, but it was still so worth it, we all agreed.

I really can't bear being a tourist in Chicago. It still feels so homey and natural to me to be there. A text message exchange with Spencer, a phone call to Laura, and an invitation from Nancy to stay in her brand new condo downtown at the corner of State and Randolph inspired me to use my credit with Southwest to fly back before I leave for France September 2. Turns out that I'll have some time off while Kai and Amélie are vacationing at the beach, so I can make a long weekend of the whole thing.

one, two, three, four, tell me that you love me more

push for right, pull for left, and yes, you can pedal forward

My family is fabulously good at turning a bore into a party. This past weekend, the company with which my mom recently started a new job held a picnic in New Carlisle. We hardly knew anyone and Papa had to leave early, but the rest of us had a famously good[ish] time.

The grown-ups were having hors d'oeuvres in the kitchen

In preparation for Monday, my return to work as full-time nanny to Kai and Amélie, I've been rehashing the good old days of 2007. I just found the following footage, taken by Colin last Christmas, stored away and forgotten during the long winter. During a dinner party, Amélie babysat the kids in the living room, telling us of the joy and angst of being four.

Sometimes I'm content to do nothing at all

There is a certain blissful sort of morning that I spend in Yellow Springs. It usually consists of plenty of coffee in various states (hot with cream, black over ice). Today I'm hanging laundry to dry on the clothesline, listening to locally produced music, and reclining with Ethan in the living room. We are silent save for the occasional suggestion of an activity, something to replace our boredom. But we're not really bored, and these assertions are dismissed without vocalized dissent.

Nowhere on the program does one find a shower or real clothes. Ethan and I wear boxers and Adidas running shorts, respectively, and tee shirts. Our hair looks sleepy and our skin is dewy and unwashed. There's nobody around to see us. We're just sipping our coffee and looking at the ceiling.

We're perfectly happy.