The errors of definitions multiply themselves according as the reckoning proceeds; and lead men into absurdities, which at last they see but cannot avoid, without reckoning anew from the beginning.

Jon and I get together fairly often to let our children get out of their respective houses and play. The kids just love each other, and play together very nicely - though the noise level is sometimes hard for adults to handle. Gratuitous monster noises, smashed cars, wrestling on the stairs - and that's not to mention the boys. Below is a pic of Alex Henke, age 4 (in the yellow shirt), playing in his front yard this last weekend with my two children (Molly, 3 and Sam, 6).

These kids had a great opportunity to grow close over the summer. Jon got off work early in the afternoon, and I was enjoying the "summers off" part of being a teacher, so we really had nothing to do on a daily basis except take care of the kids and occasionally blog about world affairs. We took these three sweethearts to the zoo, the pool, fishing - anything to get ourselves them out of the house. And of course the kids loved it. Dads are fun - we were up for pizza when you know moms would have made tuna salad or something. And I was very appreciative of the opportunity to have grown-up conversations with an intelligent, like-minded guy my own age. I have no idea what Jon got out of it, but to each his own.

The wife and I were thrilled for Jon when he took a job as the Netroots Coordinator with the George Allen campaign. That one didn't involve his moving a few hours away, so it was great. Besides, by late August I had to go back to teaching, so it was just as well that Jon find something to do with his days.

Jon and I still got together regularly on Sunday mornings for coffee and discussion of politics, economics, and life in general. We meet at a local McDonald's, and our children test the limits of the indoor play area. That'll be pretty tough to continue when he's living a couple of hours away, though. Mixed feelings, indeed. We certainly wish him, Caroline and the kids the best of luck, and this certainly won't be the last they've seen of us - not least because a move to D.C. brings them closer to some mutual friends - for example, Rammage and Boon. In fact, it burns me to say it, but this very night Jon will be visiting Rammage's warm and comfortable home in the People's Republic of Montgomery County, Maryland. A home that I, shamefully, have never visited. Sigh.

Well, once more, congratulations to Jon Henke. And here is one last picture to enjoy: my daughter Molly holding "Baby Jack" Henke.