Back Up For Air - Je suis désolé!

Leo, always making new friends

Hi, all:

Okay, okay, I know.  I've now had terse emails from many of you, with some irritation that I haven't updated the blog for two months (!) And while I'm delighted that the blog is actually being read,  we have had lots and lots of things to do here, and I also have had three trips to the U.S. during that time for various concerts.  That said, we are still here and doing just fine:)

Daphne turned 11 in March

Shortly after her birthday, she was invited for a week to a country house in the Champagne region with a classmate.  And, other than a phone panicked phone call to us on the first night (the place was teeming with spiders), she had a blast.

Leo turned 6 in April

All he wanted was stay home from school, go to a movie, and to hang with Mama and Dada

And to frost his own cake...

And a sombrero.  I love this kid.

My parents arrived yesterday and are staying here in Lyon for a month.  Seeing their smiling (and tired) faces as they arrived in Paris brought me such a rush of gratitude and excitement.  We hadn't seen them in over 9 months, and everyone was feeling it.  The kids are over the moon at having Grandma and Grandpa here, and are excited about lots of things: showing G & G all over the neighborhood, being picked up and dropped off at school, etc.

Spring has sprung in Lyon

A spring picnic with friends, just outside of the city

Everything began blooming in early April

We've experienced yet another first: Our first trip to a French Emergency Room, just this past week. Our little guy (who only two years ago suffered a big time broken arm) fell from the money-bars at a playground near our house, and broke his wrist.  He had been so excited to do the monkey-bars by himself but unfortunately, he fell just the wrong way.  My quick-thinking and knowledgeable wife knew immediately that it was not just a bump or bruise, and took him straight away to the nearest ER.

Well, they actually were turned away from that first hospital because they don't treat children there, but they taxied to the local children's hospital where, after x-rays and a wrist realignment, Leo was bandaged up in good ole' fashioned plaster.

Brave face:)

Limited activity has its benefits...

He's got a great attitude about it, but he's disappointed to have another cast.  Especially one so heavy. This one is only necessary for about five more weeks, so he'll still get to enjoy most of the summer, though his swimming lessons at our local pool are now finished...

Speaking of swimming...these are the 'accepted' bathing suits in a French swimming pool for boys (left) and men (right).  Leo's suit is roughly the size of a deck of cards.  Mine is marginally larger.

My concerts back in the States have been wonderful.  Great colleagues (many new to me), beautiful music and reconnecting with lots of friends in the musical world.  It's not easy to spend that much time away from my family, but I feel very lucky to be making music with such inspirational colleagues.

Score study...

Kennebunkport, Maine (before rehearsing La Boheme with the Bangor Symphony)

Dressing room selfie, in costume in April

The beautiful Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, in Providence, RI, during a dress rehearsal 

Boston Common during a rehearsal break in May

Red Nose Day in Boston...

We've recently had visits with terrific friends from the States (We miss you already, Karen and Bill, Stephanie and Steve!).  Showing them around Lyon, reconnecting over long walks and lingering over meals is one of our favorite things in life, here and everywhere.

Karen and Bill, Minnesota to Lyon

Daphne can eat her weight in Mussels

Stephanie and Steve, Massachusetts to Lyon

Last month, we attended Lyon's second annual "Largest Paper Boat Race in the World".  Lots and lots of people registered (over 500 boats!).  We all stood around for nearly an hour while the race director registered each and every vessel with a number, so when the moment of the launch was finally upon us, anticipation was quite high.

Pre-race entry photos...

The launch!

Unfortunately, many of the little paper boats either unfolded or sunk upon launching, and lots were capsized due to motor-boat and cruise ship waves in the heavily traveled Saône River.  Hélas, ours did not win.

There is a really nice video of the event, here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XyFfs4_Aow

Recently, I've started training up the kids in some cooking.  We've noticed that French kids tend to know more about food prep than their U.S. counterparts, and since we are a 'cooking family', they are now official 'apprentices.'  Ours already know quite a bit, which is helpful, but I've recommitted to creating three little sous-chefs to help out.

I can't cook before my morning cuppa'

Cora teaching Leo proper 'egg-cracking' techniques

Leo learning to flip an omelette

The aftermath of a shared brunch with friends

We love sharing "American" brunch with our new French friends.

We are all continuing to get our legs under us.  Our language skills are definitely developing more and more, and that makes all aspects of life a bit easier.

My flower girl

I really will try and post more often, but if two months go by again, please feel free to nudge me:)  I might even send you some Pralines Roses Lyonnaises as a thank you gift...

Lots of love,

Aaron