Once upon a time there was a boy named Simon.

He liked to play outside. Sometimes he played in the playground of our apartment complex.

Sometimes he liked to play inside like here, in gymnastics. But, mostly, he liked to play outside. Shortly after this photo was taken Matthew looked around and Simon was nowhere to be found (Simon thinks running into traffic, running in parking lots, and running away from his parents is HYSTERICAL). He was later found outside next to a parking lot not wearing any shoes. (We understand the whole leash-your-child phenomenon a lot better these days.)

He may run into traffic now and then but at least he is sleeping.

Last weekend Simon had a very large ice cream sundae. He also spent time with our friends Sheila, Yannick, and little Lucie. Look how much fun we had!

We discussed how to get more French people and their families to move to our area. In particular, we would like our Chicago friends Marcellina, Eric, Amelie and Laura to migrate west (come on, it's SO much fun to move that we did it twice, in the same year!).

We know they would like it here because the people are very relaxed. It's because we are warm. After that last picture was taken we all had to remove our sweaters.

Oh, California, we will never forsake you again.