Thank you, Nan!

(note: no internet connection for the past two days, so the "today" in this note is yesterday, Wednesday.)

Well, two big events happened today: one sad, one happy.

On a sad note, Chris’ Mom left for home. We’re very sad to see her go. It would have been impossible to get so much done over the last few weeks without her help. If you don’t know, she came to stay with us our last week in DC, then accompanied us to Paris and stayed for 2-1/2 weeks with us here. She helped get things sorted and packed in Arlington, took care of the kids while we were house hunting in Paris, did tons of laundry, and made us dinner at night here after long days of traipsing around the city. She was away from home for weeks, and didn’t get a vacation at all… we owe her another trip to Paris so she’ll have a chance to actually be a tourist and see the sites. She did say she feels like she got to know what it’s like to live in Paris a little, and she’d never seen the city before, so that’s a nice thing. And we got to do a little shopping, have some nice meals, and try a few chocolates! So many people helped us in our move from both our families and all our friends, and we are grateful for everything, but want to say a particular thank you to Glennell (or Nannan---usually shorted to Nan---as the boys call her) for being such a great support to us in our first weeks in Paris.

On a very happy note, our air shipment finally arrived today! We now have blankets and pillows for everyone (the boys have been sleeping with pillowcases filled with their little waffle blankets and stuffed animals), real silverware (including spoons, of which we had only one until today… eating cereal with a fork is actually do-able, if you ever wondered), cutting boards and knives (so we can make a salad, at least), and books and toys for the kids. And not only that, but a giant triple-walled shipping box turned on its side makes a decent table. OK, not the greatest table, but definitely better than a suitcase. It even looks a little homey if you put a tablecloth over it. The shipment was delivered early this morning as I was walking out the door to work, and by the time I got home tonight, Chris and the kids had everything put away and had dinner (collected from the market and a couple nearby take-out shops) waiting on our new “table.”

So we’re feeling a little more homesick now that Glennell has left and we realize that we’re really here on our own now, but just in time some of our things have arrived to make the apartment feel more like home.

Tomorrow, Chris is taking Calvin for a visit to his new school, also walking distance from here, just a few blocks past Carter’s school. Calvin should start there next week, hopefully – we’ll send more news soon, and a few pictures.