HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM PARIS!!!

We continued celebrating Christmas with Courtney's visit on the 27th.  This is the first visit we've had that included children (one 6, one 11) so we spent time preparing for that...adequate bedding, etc.  They arrived after the long flight none the worse for wear and we spent some time getting them settled.

When children are involved, you have to be strategic about what you see and how much you walk and Courtney didn't have any real plans other than buying a Goyard tote so we often played it by ear.
We had given Nathan a tour of Normandy for Christmas, so one full day he and David took the train to Normandy.

David and Nathan

Memorial at Pointe du Hoc

Our mornings started slow so most days we weren't out til late morning and didn't return til, sometimes, late afternoon.  That really seemed to work for the kids since they, typically, went to bed earlier.

Courtney and I walked to the Eiffel Tower with the boys (we didn't go up, just saw it up close) the day the men went to Normany, walked around Champs de Mars then walked through this little holiday market area off the Seine of gift items and lots of food tents.  It was a typical Paris winter day, cloudy and cold, and we stopped for "frites" (French fries) on the way out.

On the way to the Eiffel Tower!

Frites are always good!!

Saturday is Market Day at our house,  and Courtney wanted to experience that so we were all up and out picking up the usual eggs, cheese, fruits/veggies and some pasta.  For the most part, the boys did a good job with all the walking.  Some days were harder than others for them, but we also took buses and even a couple of metros because Jonah wanted to ride one.  When you've grown up in the suburbs, city living is quite a change...I know!!!!

A bus ride always beats walking!!!

We all went to Notre Dame one day,  and Courtney and I walked across to Shakespeare and Company just so she could see it (there's always such a long line and she didn't care enough to fight that) then strolled to Odette's for a mini cream puff and hot chocolate.  We sat outside for a while enjoying the atmosphere and the people walking by.  She made the comment "no matter where you turn as you're walking, you see something beautiful", and it's certainly true.

They wanted to go to the Louvre, which can be difficult with children.  We all looked at the exhibits beforehand and decided on some we'd all enjoy (including the boys).  Getting in wasn't difficult at all, but it is just so big.  At one point, we decided to split up, ,  and Courtney and I took Jacob (the 11-year old) with us to hunt down Napoleon's apartment and the royal jewels.  Somehow in our journey we missed the jewels (oh, well...another time) but we did finally find N's apartment.  All of us were in awe of the beauty and glitz in which he lived.

The dining room in Napoleon's apartment

Earlier in our visit, Jacob really wanted to see the Mona Lisa (doesn't everyone??!!) so we faced the crowds inching our way to Miss Mona.  He was so excited to see it and couldn't wait to get back to school and tell his art teacher.  When it was all said and done, we'd spent about four hours there (that's a lot for me!!) and we left, going across the street for a crepe from a street vendor and popcorn for the boys.

We all needed a snack after the Louvre!

Another day we shopped...I took Courtney to La Super Marquette (where I got my woven market basket) and she bought a striped sweater made in France.  You know, the classic cream/black...very nice.  Marie, the owner, knows us by now from all the times I've been in there with visitors and she's delightful.  My sister sent me a gift card from there (which Marie hand made since she doesn't normally do gift cards) but I saved it for another time.  She's always getting new items in and nothing really called my name this visit!

The cutest little shop where everything is made in  France

Another shop I wanted Courtney to visit was E. Dehillerin, the cooking store Julia Child shopped.  We've taken several visitors there and, until Courtney's visit, no one has purchased anything.  Courtney and I are both interested in the copper cookware they sell, but this time she just purchased some wooden spoons.  I didn't, but I am going back to get some....I can always use a good wooden spoon!!!!

Someday I will walk out with copper pots!!

I like the flat spoons on the right!

New Year's Eve we went to a light show at Jardin Des Plantes I'd read about.  It didn't begin until 6:00 p.m. and there was a long line, though it moved quickly.  Inside things were pretty orderly (as orderly as you can have with hundreds of people, families and small children/strollers) and very pretty.  We've never been to this park before, but, apparently, there is also a zoo on one side which might be interesting in the summer.

Courtney and Nathan took one of the evening dinner cruises on the Seine.  We'd had a busy day that particular day, and Courtney had to get motivated to get out again.  However, I think she was glad she did because they enjoyed the peace of the ride and were able to see some sights we hadn't seen.  David and I think it's a relaxing day to get a little view of Paris...and good food too!!

In addition to these activities, there was much walking as we saw Arc de Triomph, Trocodero (the best view of the Eiffel Tower), and wandered down cobbled stone streets to reach our destinations.  Courtney brought several pairs of shoes to be able to switch out what she wore, but, even then, I think she understood my shoe/walking dilemma as it didn't take too long before her feet were hurting.  Bandaids are a wonderful thing!!!!!

At the end of their visit, I'm sure they were ready to get back to the suburbs, cars  and familiar places/dining/shopping.  But this was, after all, a vacation..a time for new experiences.  I hope they enjoyed their time here....we had some fun times!