On Various Exchanges

Eitan decorates his homework books all "ManU."  His activities, which now include football, swimming, choir, in-door athletics and cross country, catching up to him: Poor kid is tired and not yet half-term.

We have a dinner party with Arnaud, Julia and Lorena. This morning over breakfast (Marcus sleeps over)
Me: "Were you two eavesdropping?"
Madeleine: "Of course: 'Ohhh we just LOVE giving Eitan and Madeleine chores la la la."
Me: "Do your parents have dinner parties, Marcus?"
Marcus: "Yeah. They always forget about me so I can stay up late."
Me: "Do they laugh  and act silly?"
Marcus: "Yeah, they carry on a bit."
Me: "Do they drink wine?"
Madeleine: "You were drinking wine."
Me: "Yep. That's what you do at a dinner party. Drink wine and act silly."
Madeleine: "That's what you do anyway."
Me: "Hey, Marcus, do you have to do chores at your house?"
Marcus: "No."
Eitan, Madeleine: "See?!"
Me: "I guess we just do things a little bit differently at 45 York Avenue."
Eitan, mumbling: "Yeah, like drink wine and do chores."

Eitan: "On our block there are four Jaguars, two Porche Carrera S's, one Porche 911, one Porche turbo 911, an Austin Martin and a Maserati quite near us."
Me: "Don't forget the VW Golf. Ooo! Check it out! There's another one! And a Volskwagon Polo!"
Eitan: "Dad . . . "
Me: "You just don't understand quality.  The 2002 Golf was a vintage year" (we walk by our car). "Look at the styling.  And the design of the head lamps.Ohhh. Ohhh."
Eitan:
Me: "Maybe we should get another one. We could have two 2002 Golf VWs!"
Eitan: "You're not really into cars, are you Dad?"
Me: "I'm not really a car hound. I had a fun car in college but I'm just not that interested now."
Eitan: "Why?"
Me: "I guess I am more interested in you and your sister and your mother."