France is good. Cedric and I are good. Lou's not so good. He's come down with a cold, or something - runny nose, fever, general crankiness. The most worrisome aspect is that he will not let me out of his sight without whining "mama mama mama?" I say worrisome because I only hope it is illness and travel related and not trauma from being left at the preschool. Of course, I still feel guilty.

We're glad to be here, for all the usual reasons. These trips always make me ask myself why we're still living in Indiana. But alas, those are the questions we always ask ourselves on vacation, and don't have much relevance for real life. I want to come back to France, for at least part of the year, but the timing and the situation have to be right. France has a lot of positive, but also negative, potential for us. Jumping in headlong based on a vacation experience is a terrible idea, so I try to remember that, and just enjoy the time we have here. It's not so hard to do, after all, with great food, great wine, and beautiful surroundings.

I heard on Paul Harvey not too long ago that after all air travel was temporarily shut down in the US in 2001, the flu wasn't as serious that year or something...I'm not getting it exactly right, but the point is, air travel spreads illness. Then again, my little guy is full of snot right now too, and I'm not brave enough to take him on planes yet (they would throw us off mid-flight, I have no doubt in my mind). You are my hero! Have fun in France! We're going to Wisconsin in two weeks...that's almost the same, right?

Well, if you do take him to Hawaii this year, I have some "flying with an 18 month old" advice. I'll make you a pamphlet. Cheap.

As for Wisconson, I'm sure I've heard it referred to many, many times as "the next best thing to France." Or something along those lines.

Would the pamphlet include the words "IV sedation?"

Bring me back one of those snot suckers, would you? Thanks.

Oh the joys of vacation. It's almost like holiday time...someone always gets sick. Please tell Lou grandma wishes him a speedy recovery. I must say I'm envious of your opportunity for fine dinning.

Love, mom

Lou is also at the peak age for "separation anxiety"; which makes the whole pre-school idea a good thing. He'll be through it before you know it and you'll be sad that he seems so eager to go without you.