And now we find ourselves deep into October - wow, is this ever a place with four seasons. The boys are settled in their school routines, the newcomers are hard at work in the Embassy, and the great shuffle begins again as we plan our days around moving the kids between school, playdates, and family activities.

After three months of break, Adham is once again gearing up the 4th of July machine for the 2009 event. Our Ambassador here is a political appointee, so he will most likely leave his post around January 20, 2009. There will be a gap of several months until a new Ambassador is chosen by the new administration and vetted by the Senate, and finally sent to Paris. During that period, our current Deputy Chief of Mission will serve as Charge d'Affaires ad interim. Since we don't know when the new Ambassador will show up, the Charge will be in charge of calling the shots for the 4th of July. We're fortunate in that he is a great guy and very easy to work with.

Tasman has begun first grade with his new teacher, Ms. Johnson, and is loving it so far. He is the most advanced reader in his class, and is currently working his way through the "Boxcar Children" series. He's also decided to join the cub scouts, and recently went on his first camping trip at the French scouting center outside of Paris. Atlas is in his second year at the Montessori program, and is also enjoying that style of learning a great deal. He's still very interested in castles and knights, especially anything to do with their swords, crossbows, and catapults.

Crystal is busy with the kids as usual - helping them with homework, doing the marathon commute, meeting with teachers and other parents. She has also started up again with the "Bienvenue en France" group. This is the association founded by the French foreign ministry which aims to bring together the spouses (primarily women) of diplomats serving in France to learn more about the culture of their host country. It's organized around activities and interests, so there is for example a group which meets every month to talk about current events in French, and another which meets to learn how to paint on silk. Crystal has joined a painting group and another which discusses different facets of French culture. It's a good way to meet friendly French people (each group organizer is French), and other diplomatic expats who live the same kind of unusual lifestyle we do.