Wow! The second I get back from Paris, Dad tells us we're moving to our summer home early. You probably don't realize how stressing that is, because you haven't sat in the car for 12 hours while you're going to Merewood. The scenery is usually very pretty, but it was raining all day. My bed sheets smell a little musty, but I'm going to have them washed today probably. I was hoping to go swimming today, but it is still raining. I think it's been doing this for about a week. But Wednesday is supposed to be clear, so I will have to wait until then. Actually, the new housekeeper is from Hawaii! She tells really cool stories. Her name is Loni (I have no idea how to spell it), and she is going to teach me to make this coconut thing. I can't remember what it's called, it sounds like goo. My brother is still begging for sky diving lessons. he's 11. Dad is beginning to give in, but Mom says the same thing every time: "What if the parachute doesn't come out?" You talk about a boring family. Auntie Annette is going to visit us from Chicago. America sounds like such a cool place. But the accents are sort of strange. Loni has an American accent. Sometimes I wish I could sound like her. Some of the words I don't understand. I think I'm going to turn off my laptop now and try to get Jacob, my little brother to settle down. Our cousin Bart came to visit, and the two of them are playing indoor soccer. I think I'm going to go try to save Mom's favorite China. (From China) The Dining Room isn't a good place to play Soccer.

-Alice