Uncle Mutti

For the last week my brother, Mutti (real name Matthew), has crashed under our roof in San Diego. It's his college spring break, and he chose to spend it with his sister, brother-in-law, and niece instead of partying with his friends.

He arrived just in time for some beautiful, summer-like weather. And his activities have been varied - while he's been able to go shopping, out to eat, bar-hopping downtown, and to the beach, he's also had plenty of time to sleep in, watch TV, sit outside in the sun, and basically just enjoy some down time.

Isabelle likes her uncle - she stares at him with her piercing gaze until he makes eye contact, and then she smiles. And she's allowed him the privilege of letting her clutch his finger in her little fist during car trips.