L'aventure américaine

I set my alarm this morning so I wouldn’t sleep so late. There are adventures to be had in Nice and I wouldn’t want to miss them! Yesterday was a slow morning. Or slow for Randal and I anyway. It was Elisabetta‘s birthday and hopefully she had a good one! Charles had gotten croissants and pastries for all of us and we had a leisurely morning as we decided what to do. Art museums! Enjoying stellar public transit, we made our way to the Chagall Museum. He really is my favorite. Such joy and such celebration of love. My favorites were the room with five paintings about love and the painting where Adam and Eve were expelled from paradise, which was joyful and beautiful, celebrating motherhood!  Of course, I forgot to take a picture of the paradise one- but this another that I loved. The kids’ favorite was likely the cat at the bag check point. And I had to have a talk with them (re: Marian) about doing things that other people wanted to do patiently because there were 9 people to pleas...

Ack! I just drafted a message and it got an error.  So, will fill in the gaps later- but here are some photos from yesterday. We’re all together and it’s lovely. 

We lost a great one today. My Uncle Bob was kind. He was always kind to me- but he did so much to make the world better that I didn’t even know. He was funny. He always made me laugh, and the whole room, even when it was dark humor about cancer. He was interesting. One look at his collections would show you the wide variety of interests from Foghorn Leghorn to a billion cars that I couldn’t keep track of.  He loved and was loved and will be so missed.  Cheers to you, Uncle Bob. 

It all starts September 10th with Milo’s birthday. The weather is warm; it’s gorgeous outside; we’re ready to celebrate.  Then my birthday, Charles, mom, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Dad, and Marian’s birthday closes the season on 1/21. The weather is cold; i am exhausted; we’re tired of parties. Or I am anyway.  But, it’s not fair to Marian not to celebrate- so we had a family party on Wednesday and her friend party last night. Five girls total, so giggly and so happy. Marian was the only one who cried, but, it was her party so she could cry if she wanted to.  Happy 7th birthday to my baby- who is sassy and sweet. Sneaky and earnest. Smart and eager and a master at getting other people to do things for her. She plays to audience and makes us laugh and loves loves loves. We love you right back. 

I am home and in my bed on a Saturday- the first time in over and month. I have been maximizing my time at my parents’ while Charles and family were there. It was the best and a direct contradiction to the adage, “you can’t go home again.”  You can. And your dad brings you coffee in bed.  Anyway, it was the best ever and now Charles is safely at home with his family and my kids are glad that things are normal again, but I miss them all and I’ve been awake for 30 minutes and I think I’m going to have to make my own coffee.  Poop. 

As many of you know, I have some issues with football from a public health perspective. Nevertheless, I find myself watching it and celebrating  IU. Of course, now I am watching the Bears lose and that isn’t nearly as fun.  2026 is starting well personally because my brother is still here and hanging with him is the best. Also- hanging with him means more down time and family time and a slower pace in general, which is magic.  Anyway. Go IU. Keep your brains safe.  Edited- after a crazy comeback, the Bears won!! Go Bears!