Whew!

FIRST DAY BACK at 'our' house was today. A relief in many ways -- but also a bit sobering as we realize we have now been in France for two years. So short a time, yet so long in many ways.

But I'm being way to serious; time for a quick friends 'n family update. I'll start with the topic, then go for a quick summary:

• Trip back from Strasbourg: three words -- Switzerland Is Beautiful.
• La rentrée: our OIB section keeps growing and that's great; but geez, it also means a lot more work.
• Patrick and Julia's rentrée: CM2! So far so good. Only two days in but they seem to be excited about the year and like their teachers -- especially Madame Noel (yes, Mrs. Christmas).
• Henry's rentrée: c'était pas mal, all things considered. He likes school, he just doesn't yet like going to school.
• Le Rouret: some noticable improvements were made over the summer, the biggest being that our fabulous boulangerie has now moved to a bigger space in a better location and added tables and...coffee!
• The apartment we had to stay in for one week until our house was ready: about as fabulous as 40 sqare meters can be.
• My teaching schedule: sweet!
• The VW Golf GTI: in the shop!
• The view from our balcony: something we will never fully appreciate -- especially on nights like tonight when the full moon is reflecting in the sea.
• Packing and unpacking: getting really old (especially for Kerri since she ends up doing most of the work).
• Nemo, Henry's fish: totally dead.
• The two other fish: mostly dead -- but recovering nicely (all three made the trip to Strasbourg with us. Nemo didn't die until a few days after we got back).
• Prices on the Cote d'Azur: a bit out of control at times (1 scoop of ice cream in Nice: €2.50. One scoop of ice cream in Baden Baden, Germany: €0.75).
• France v. Romania: Don't have much to say about this, except that I'm watching the game right now.
• Everyone in the house right now: asleep, except for me.
• Tomorrow: boulangerie for coffee; more unpacking; a long bike ride; dip in the pool; corn on the cob for dinner.
• Photo at the top of the blog: needs to be changed, I know.