Not stuck in Paris yet!

You heard about the volcano in Iceland that's shut down European airports since last Thursday? My folks flew in just a half hour before airports began grounding flights and stranding thousands of people. Crazy!

We didn't think much of it because we were heading to Paris by train. Once here, we began hearing all sorts of things, especially at church. The Paris ward had lots of study abroad students, faculty and families, businessmen, and vacationers waiting in limbo as the airlines cancelled their flights and said to try again in SIX days. Oh what a hassle for all these stranded people and the expense!!! Ryan said he saw images online of people sleeping on cots at the Frankfurt airport! Argh!

I'm almost ashamed to report all the fun we're having seeing the Parisian sights and EATS, becoming accustomed to traveling together. Ryan's inner GPS has come to the rescue too many times to count! What would we do without him?! It truly is amazing! I learned a new story about him this trip. He can trace this inner GPS talent to a time when he was 6 or so and a neighborhood playground was moved to a nearby town. He'd been able to ride along as the stuff was moved once, and later that day was able to lead his parents there, turn by turn! They had thought it'd been moved down the street so weren't they a bit stunned and impressed! My parents and I are too, although I'm sure we should do more thanking in the moment. Since Ryan's never lost, he likes to wander. I'm not so good at being a wanderer follower even if I know he'll get us there every time. Ryan, your patience astounds me!

On another note, Ryan's enduring a bit of ribbing. He woke up feeling under the weather on Sunday real early and took a long shower and bath. When he got done, there was still hot water he thought but the rest of us got cold showers without knowing why. He 'fessed up later in the day at dinner and won't hear the end of it now!

Dad buys and writes post cards anytime we stop it seems. I have always loved his letters and post cards over the years so it's been fun to watch him do this. So many people he thinks of and loves! If only we could find an open post office to send them off! 

We also have gotten a kick out of Dad excitedly sharing how this or that was built - like the Eiffel Tower's use of rivets. He's such a big kid at heart! He's getting used to his camera and gave us all a good laugh at the Eiffel Tower. He and Ryan had climbed it just before dusk, waving excitedly and doing The Wave to Mom and I below. Us boring women had contentedly opted to read and people watch in the park resting our weary bones on a bench.

Anyhow, once the boys rejoined us, we were hanging around for the lights of the Eiffel Tower to go on. Dad was trying to get his camera ready to catch the lighting because it is lit level by level. As it began lighting up, Dad missed it and hollered, "Oh Crap!", as he fumbled with his camera. Then Eiffel began it's dazzling flash bulb display and Dad hollered another exasperated "Oh Crap!" Ryan came to his rescue with the camera, but it sure got us laughing real hard with likely derivatives rolling off the tongue - now it's "Oh Crepe!" (Note to self: Mom and Dad have yet to try one. I should be shot, what's more Parisian?! Oh yes, bakeries . . . no problem there, we've got them well covered!)

Another fave moment of mine was when we were on the tour bus heading into the Louvre. Tour bus and a very narrow road passage into the castle = Tight squeeze! Dad was able to reach out and touch the castle door over mom's shoulder! Anyhow, he squealed with delight and I caught it on camera! That's my dad! It was as if we were on a roller coaster in the good ol' days!

Mom and I are up for just about anything until our walking legs are done. Mom got to browse the fabric district a bit today and is keeping an eye out for just the right gift ideas. Beyond being very happy with me and Ryan's historic walk today, I feel like I'm best equipped to publish a "Where's the WC?" edition of me as Where's Waldo in various European cities. UC + travel = less than interesting blog material . . . yet useful. Maybe I've found my blogging niche?! Uh, no thanks, I'll pass.

It's past midnight of day two in Paris and we're all dog tired and ready for bed! We've done Notre Dame and the historic area walking tour, a hop-on/off bus tour, shopped and strolled the Champs Elysees, the Louvre, and the Sacre Couer / Montmarte areas just to name a few. Still so much to see but the heat is on tomorrow --  the Paris Crypt, Musee d'Orsay, Rodin, and Versailles. And it will be fun darn it! Now hussle! HUSSLE! Ryan and Dad are now being asked to find a job in Paris for a year so we can all live here and attempt to see it all at "our leisure"! I don't think I'd ever run out of things to see and explore here!

By the way I am now a fervent Rick Steve's book fan and wish we'd gotten acquainted a good 17 months ago when my European adventure began! Oh the grief he would have saved this here traveling woman! The audio tours could use some work but are fun and useful in conjunction with other guides and maps, especially in the Louvre we've found!

Wednesday we head to Rome if there's no French train worker strike again between Paris and Germany and the airlines let us fly to Rome as planned. Our airline begins letting flights leave at 1pm and ours is at 4pm - how's that for a close shave?! Wish us luck!

Paris, Day 1: Versailles and Getting Settled

Back in early June, we drove our crew the six hours to Paris for an extended weekend to see all the sights we could cram into five days. We left Thursday morning around 9am and walked onto the grounds of Versailles Palace at 4pm. I wish we'd had more time, but we enjoyed what we were able to see. Ah, traveling as a family!


The opulent Versailles Palace with beautiful gardens. The palace's self-guided audio tour worked out great for our crew where you just had to point and click as you went along. It was fun to imagine extravagant pageantry back in it’s hey day with powdered wigs, round rouged cheeks, elaborate corseted gowns and fancy duds. Though I’d have loved to see all that in person, I’m sure glad I’ve never had to wear one of those get ups or give birth in a full room of courtiers like Marie Antionette! YIKES!!!

Easton, Morgan and me in front of the grounds of Marie Antionette's retreats from the palace. This lovely tree lined avenue leads to the Petit Palace and then on back to her hamlet where Marie Antionette liked to "play peasant."

I'm currently enjoying absorbing what I can of European history and what life was like for these ruling families. I finally finished reading "The Life of Elizabeth I" by Alison Weir which took me forever but I really enjoyed it. Now I've just begun an audio book about Maria Therese and her daughter, the infamous Marie Antionette. Ryan enjoys the tidbits I share with him but wants to hear about kings, the MEN! I guess you could say I'm also intruigued by women's roles and influence though out time, so I find this all very fascinating.

The hamlets lie around a lily pad lined pond stocked full of fish and one lone swan, at least while we were wandering back there. I wish we'd brought a picnic to enjoy!

Me and the kids playing some tag back in one of the small gardens behind one of the huts. Hearing my kids' give a real good excited gut laugh is one of my favorite things in life! Games of chase are one way to ensure hearing that fabulous sound!

After Versailles, we headed into Paris to find our apartment on the Champs Elysees. Ryan took this picture of the Arc d' Triumph from the Eiffel Tower the next day, but just wanted to give you an idea of what we were driving into during rush hour. Traffic looks pretty tame in this mid-day shot. When we hit it at 7:30pm, there were at least twelve unmarked “lanes” of traffic, some cars just sitting perpendicular to the flow of traffic as they waited for an opening to cross "lanes." I’m so glad Ryan likes to be our driver! He’s pretty much my road trip hero!

Then you should have seen him load up the stroller with our bags, food, and Morgan’s porta-crib! It was as tall as me, quite the balancing act to say the least, and we had a couple of blocks to walk from where he short-term parked the van! You go, Lover Boy! The Champs Elysees is a famous fashionable shopping and eating street so we were quite the sight on this main thoroughfare! Writing this paragraph reminds me of camera worthy moments I need to keep in mind on our trips! However, when in these "moments" I tend to be trying to keep my cool as a navigator for my driver or keeping an eagle eye on my youngins so as to not lose them in an unfamiliar bustling crowd. I know, sorry - tsch-tsch - priorities, priorities.

Our apartment was located within one of the gallery malls and worked out fabulously! It had a couple couches that converted to real comfy beds in the living room, a small kitchen with a washer/dryer, and a bathroom. We spend so little time in our rooms that to be able to sleep, bathe, prepare breakfast, and pack lunches is all we need. The location of this place was just perfect for us on our trip! Love that vrbo.com site!!!

Once Ryan dropped us at our room, he headed off to find long term parking while I headed out with the kids to find a grocery store even though it was 9pm. Turned out the grocers were closed, but we found where they were. We settled in for a good night’s sleep, eager to take on the Eiffel Tower in the morning!

Home Again, Home Again, Jittity-Jig

The kids and I in Versailles' Hall of Mirrors


We rolled into town around 5pm tonight, officially concluding our family trip to Paris. Our maiden voyage as an entire family in the minivan! Well, I mean as in a long distance trip anyhow - about six hours. I'm sold! The kid's had their dvd player in the back watching a Scooby Doo flick over and over while Ryan listened to Angels and Demons. I was in and out as usual, but loved having the option of sitting next to Morgan to feed or entertain her or sit up front with Ryan. I'm all about options!

I think that Morgan was the happiest to be home! She spent two hours surveying her stomping grounds on the homefront, literally not caring where I was. When I rolled up the roulunds (exterior window blinds) in the playroom, she actually squealed with delight and crawled her little bug of a self on in. Ryan and Easton headed off to catch the last showing of "UP" on base as promised while McKay continued his nap in bed. We really wear our kids out on these trips trying to see as much as we can with late nights! I started unpacking and doing laundry, listening to a new audiobook, and then viewing our trip's pictures.

It'll take a bit of time to sift through the 550+ pictures, but I have finished writing up yesterday at the Louvre and just need to attach pictures which is my least favorite chore when posting. ARGH, it just takes so long to upload and place them!!! I'm so sad to realize we ever got a picture of all of us together. I was able to jot down memories of our entire trip last night when Ryan called his mom. They'd made a trip to France last fall and Ryan was just like a little kid reporting on a fun day at school!

Our accommodations were very basic, a studio apartment on the Champs Elysees, close to the Arc de Triumph. I must say we're sold on the VRBO site forever now. It's worldwide Vacation Rentals By Owners at vrbo.com. Here's Morgan enjoying the fresh air out our windows after somehow navigating the sheer curtain. Traveling with a young family is so much easier and cheaper when you have your own kitchen and laundry! And we've usually found it to be cheaper than staying at hotels. This place was small, but considering we only slept and ate breakfast there before heading out from 9ish-midnight typically.

We lucked out once again with the weather! I can't get over how much cooler Europe's weather is! I can't remember the last time I needed a jacket every day in JUNE!!! Ah well, I'm not complaining since I'm not a fan of being hot. Good thing I remembered the sunscreen! Even with it, we all had nice sun-kissed faces which looks real cute on my lil ones and my man.

Alright, posts with pics are coming - I promise! Stay tuned!

Louvre Logistics

I wondered how our kids would fare in the Louvre, did you? (Internal groan.) How long would they last? (Big sigh.) How could we possibly bribe them in order to see what we wanted to see? (Heart palpitations.) Would certain areas be closed for Michelle Obama and her daughters coming through? (Anxiety mounting.)

The first Sunday of every month, most museums in Paris are free. We had hoped to get two in today - the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay (famous impressionists like Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cezanne) . . . but after the Louvre, a beyond-horrific diaper blowout, lack of sufficient wipes for said disaster, and impending rain caused us forgo the Orsay and head back to the apartment. I'm sure you understand.

We did take a scenic, unrushed walk back including some feeding and chasing of pigeons and ducks and watching the mini-sailboats in the Jardin de'Tuileries. None of us are bummed. Ryan got to watch the final two sets of the French open before taking a nap. McKay was already sacked out in the stroller but in need of a bath for the aforementioned reason. Morgan was soon napping after a bottle. Easton was only too happy to enjoy popcorn and hot chocolate with Ryan and myself before getting to play a game on Ryan's iphone, and I thought it was a nice break and a chance to collect my memories of this trip. The impressionists will have to be devoured on another trip. One museum a day is quite enough for us at this stage of the game!

Ryan and I each had a few things we really wanted to see and saw others on our audio tour. We opted for the "45 minute" Masterpieces tour plus some other side trips before, in the midst of, and after. In all, we spent three hours there. I feel pleased with what we accomplished but know we barely even scratched the surface of all there is to absorb. It pretty much parallels my feeling about most endeavors I have in this stage of young motherhood. So much in the world I'd love to absorb and learn, but now isn't exactly the right season.

Here's how we survived.

CONTAINMENT
Containment of our wandering, chasing, climbing crew is paramount! This crash course of a couple hours in the world's largest museum on free Sunday just wasn't the right time to instill a love of the arts in my children. On a couple occasions I did point out some details to Easton who was semi-interested, like the massive "Napolean's Coronation by David." I would actually really enjoy detailed trips to the Louvre to study these masterpieces, without children.

We stuck the boys in the stroller, strapped Morgan to me in the BabyBjorn, picked up our audio guides, hit the bathrooms and finally after that 45 minutes, we were off!

We felt pretty good about our strategy and it worked well. Well, it worked well until we had to navigate this tricky spot around Winged Victory which is surrounded on all sides by sets of stairs and crowds of people on each landing. Ryan came up with a plan. He went and took his gander first while I entertained the children and then I got my turn - uninterrupted by needy little ones. Then we tackled the stairs and landings all together on our way to the next site which meant going past the "Winged Victory" and up to the next landing. Man was it warm in the Louvre today! ARGH!

When we have to do stairs, we have the boys hop out and Ryan hefts the back while I heft the front. Our dear double stroller is pretty heavily loaded down with our needs for the day - snacks; lunch; waters; umbrellas; jackets; sanitation essentials; Morgan's fare of bottles, cereal, and baby food; passports; extra clothes; travel guide; maps; first aid kit and drugs . . . no wonder it takes almost three hours from waking up to make it out the door! I'd do more the night before, but we never get in until midnight so we all just crash.

Back to my story. The boys followed us up the stairs to the WV landing and amongst the crowd and our load, Ryan and I both lost site of McKay for a moment. In horror, we realized McKay was climbing on the edge of the WV! We pull him off and are in the process of scolding him when we see Easton doing the same! This is why containment is necessary! I mistakenly directed us up to the wrong landing and we had to go by the WV once again - down and then up again. You can be sure we had eagle eyes on the boys and they knew it!

APPEASE
Thanks to my personal assistant, the cheapo, ugly but highly functional marathon Timex, I started them with a couple gummy letters every five minutes until Ryan and I just started handing them out on demand so we could finish the audio commentaries. I hate placating whiners, but we're talking survival instincts here, folks!

THREATEN
When all resources (candy and water) have been exhausted, we had to pull the movie card. Ryan promised the boys that if they behaved well on this trip he would take them to see the new 3D "UP" movie at the theater on base tomorrow. Easton has been real excited about this which means McKay thinks it's a pretty good thing too. I can remember at least twice when this card was played today which really isn't too bad in the large scheme of things.

We all survived and enjoyed the gardens afterward, especially the little sailboats in a big fountain.

When in Paris, do as the . . . Obamas do?

Ever had to plan your vacation around what the Obamas were up to? We're in Paris for the weekend and have run into the security barricades and motorcade each evening. We actually had to get online tonight to make sure we could avoid the hassle on our last day and not be thwarted in our plans. See link to see what they're up to this weekend. We had planned to do the Louvre tomorrow, now we know to go early!