Balancing recreation and residence

Our major goals for the first 10 days in Prague were (1) organize and outfit the apartment, (2) get over jet lag, and (3) keep the boys entertained so they didn't resent being dragged halfway around the world. We made headway on all three. But Ben really missed his best friend – the first two days he kept asking me what time it was in Michigan, where N. was on vacation – so we arranged a couple of Skype dates. Skype (internet-based video phone) has been wonderful for feeling connected to our “real” life. But honestly? Getting two eight-year-olds and a five-year-old on a video call? It's little more than goofy faces, couch acrobatics, and Lego show-and-tell.

In other words, a play date.