Paris, France

Bonjour! We made it to France.

Our car hit French soil and we were off to conquer mainland Europe. Leon and I pulled into Paris at around 4am Paris time. We headed straight to our hotel and as we got close, I started to notice that the buildings around us were colored brightly with spray paint and the streets were filled with herds of the homeless. We hit the parking garage and it was full throttle security. I was too tired to care so we dragged the kids out of the car and checked in. People were staring at us from every direction and I was so confused why. Soon I realized that were were the only people with children in the entire hotel. They handed us some extra towels that were not much more sturdy than paper towels and we headed up the elevator. The moment we stepped on our floor I was in shock by the sounds I was hearing. I immediately wanted to cover my children's ears. I looked at Leon in horror and that is when I started putting the pieces together. We walked into our room and I felt like I was in a dorm room. The floors were wood and there were bunk beds. The toilet still had urine in it and the pillow cases had gashes through them. I wanted to cry, but it was four in the morning and we had no other option but to just flush the toilet and go to sleep. Leon just kept apologizing and promising me all the other hotels were 4 stars. Ellie was elated and she loved sleeping on the high bed. In fact, she later told us when we were settling into our 4 star Switzerland hotel that she wanted to go back to the dirty scary hotel. Not going to happen baby girl. Ever.

The next morning we left our scary Ibis hotel and decided to have a picnic lunch outside the Eiffel Tower. We drove the streets of Paris and I honestly felt like I was living a dream. The streets were full of markets and bicycles. The buildings were so romantic in their baroque and rococo styles. Ah, the city was so alive and so...French. Last time I was in Paris my bones were frozen and people were throwing money at me in the subway. Don't ask. Let's just say this was a completely different experience and I was loving it. We passed the Arc d' Triumph and the Lourve. We drove down Champs-'Elysees and passed what felt like hundreds of French carousals. We parked our silver stallion and headed straight for a French Patisserie. Leon ordered a delicious warm baguette, cheese bread, and chocolate croissants. We also grabbed some fresh cheese at a local market.

Our Bakery

Oh Yum

Some Pink chairs for my pink girl

hitting the market

I couldn't help but feel so in love with my little family that day. We found our way to the green grass across from the Eiffel Tower and sat down for lunch. Point blank, it was delectable. There is nothing better than fresh bread and cheese, yum. Ellie ran around and Jet loved being free from the Ergo. We took pictures and made friends. Ellie got to ride a horse around the park and play at a playground shaded by the tower itself. We even had our first experience with gypsies.

Our picnic lunch

My little cutie

After lunch, we took to the streets. We walked to the Arch d' Triumph and then down Champs-'Elysees fueling up on water and ice cream. Of course we took breaks at fountains and patches of grass to cool off our toes and play monster respectively. We found our way to the Lourve and took a stroll down the Seine river. It was breathtaking and something I hope I never forget. There were little markets on the river and lining the river were yachts that were full of french families enjoying each other's company and soaking up the last sun rays of the day. As the sun was setting we could see the shadowed Eiffel tower in the distance and I couldn't stop thinking I had to be in a dream. This couldn't be real life. This couldn't be MY real life. But it was and I was happy.

The Lourve

We finished our stroll, we probably walked at least six miles, and found our way back to the silver stallion. I made Leon go back to the bakery and see if he could find me some eclairs, unfortunately he couldn't find any but he did come back with more chocolate croissants. I may or may not have eaten my weight in carbs that day.

Our stroll down the Siene

Then we headed to Notre Dame Cathedral. This was such a spiritual experience for both me and Leon. The building is incredible and imagining the work and sacrifice that went into creating such a place was humbling to say the least. We walked around and talked about Jesus. This is always my favorite subject with little Ellie. Her spirit is so sweet and pure. I sure am grateful for my little princess and for my Savior Jesus Christ.

Notre Dame in the distance

After we payed our respects to the cathedral, we decided it was time to grab some dinner. This was about the time the camera and the phone died. Sad day. But thankfully the night was one of my all time favorites in my life and I will always remember the memories we made. We found a little creperie and stuffed our faces with the most amazing crepes. Ah France, you fed me well.

It was dark by now and Paris was just shimmering in the moonlight. We decided that going back to our disgusting hotel was the last thing we wanted to do, so we made our way up to Sacre Coeur. This Basilica overlooked the city and we sat ourselves on a hill just taking in the warm night air and the dazzling views. The Eiffel Tower was sparkling and vendors were throwing and selling glow in the dark trinkets. There was such a neat ambiance about the place. I could have sat on that hill forever. My little man asleep on my stomach, my little princess running around in front of me, and my big man's arms wrapped around me. It was heaven I tell you...heaven.

But, Alas, we had to leave and we had to go back to the dirty hotel. Thankfully, when we got there it was quiet and we went straight to sleep excited for our week ahead of us and our drive to Switzerland in the morning. France was perfect. It was the perfect start to our amazing week. I could relive that day over and over.

Goodbye London

3 Pleydell Street #18.

In a little hidden entrance on the back of a building located in the center of the famous Fleet street, lived a little family of four for 10 weeks. They laughed, they played, they went on adventures, and they fell in love with their summer in London. They shopped at Sainsbury's and Tesco, always filling their fridge with chocolate milk and fresh fruit juice. They walked through the Victoria Embankment gardens and made friends with the statues, especially Nemo the fish and Pavarti the elephant. They were so grateful for the elevator at the Blackfriars tube station because they used it almost everyday. They always had chocolate bars and sand in the stroller. Their dad left at nine thirty, their baby took a nap at ten, and they left on adventures by noon. It was almost the same everyday. They made friends at playgrounds and got lost in the beauty of an English summer.

Oh, how I already miss that little flat that I hated so much haha. No toys to play with, but so many amazing memories that I wouldn't trade for the world.

Our door

The elevator

Our stroller was piled high outside our summer home

Goodbye 3 Pleydell Street

On our last day we said goodbye to our friends, visited the Disney store and ate crepes in Covent Garden, and played at the park on Drury Lane. It was such a bitter sweet goodbye to our London life, but we were excited for the time that we were going to get to spend together the next week.

Ellie and Sleeping Beauty

We had planned a road trip all over western Europe. Crazy? Maybe. But we figured that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and we had to take full advantage of being in Europe. So, as soon as Leon got home from work, we packed the stroller with all that we owned (ok we took most of it to Robyn's house via taxi the night before) and we made our way to London Bridge station. The kids both fell asleep so we enjoyed our journey hand in hand through the streets of the city. We could both feel the excitement of the unknown in the air and it was thrilling. We were to rent a car (mind you this is an English car, meaning Leon would be driving on the wrong side of the car on the right side on the road) and drive to France that night.

Ready..Set..Go

Tower Bridge

We made it to the station and got some time to sit and talk while we waited for the train. We talked about our trip, setting expectations and laughing at how crazy we were to do this with two babies. We talked about the job offer Leon had just received earlier that day and how excited we were to be so lucky but worried if London was the right place for our family. And we talked about how much fun we were going to have spending time together for a whole week straight.

At the London Bridge train station

The train ride was about 30 min and after our two mile walk with a backpack, a baby, and a computer bag, all I wanted was a seat. Unfortunately, we had to stand the entire way and then when we got to the rental car place our reservation couldn't be found. Bah! What a way to start off our trip? I was already annoyed and then I had to deal with this along with the stress that we needed to get to Dover in time in order to make our ferry across the channel. Thankfully, it was all sorted out and we met our little silver stallion shortly thereafter. At first I thought we would be traveling in a Mercedes, but it was in the wrong spot. Psych! We loved our little hatchback. It was very comfortable and economical with a touch of sporty. It was also manual. So, picture this: manual car, left sided steering wheel, right sided road, right sided toll booths, ect. It was fun.

We threw our stuff in the car and headed to the coast. We had about an hour and a half to make an hour and a half drive. There was no time for even the smallest driving error and we both knew it. Then as we pulled out of the car lot, Leon stalled the car. I looked at him, he looked at me, and we both laughed at this crazy start of our crazy awesome trip. Then we tried again, and pulled into the port with no time to spare. We hopped on the ferry and walked around a bit then decided to get some dinner. Leon ordered some Bangers and Mash while I got some tomato soup. Not the best meal we had ever had, but it did the job. Ellie thought that fairies were going to take us across the channel. She was sorely disappointed when we told her Tinkerbelle wasn't coming. Both of the kids stayed up the entire ferry ride. And thankfully they fell asleep as soon as our tires hit French soil.

dinnertime

Exhibition Road

Museums, museums, and more museums.

We love making the trip to South Kensington because we can't get enough of the museums. Our favorite is probably the science museum (OK, well its my favorite). We love to check out the rocket/space section, the engine/train section, the airplane section, and of course the garden.

The garden is a play area for kids 3-6 years and is full of hands on science. Ellie especially loves playing in the garden. She begs to go to the museum all the time, probably because she thinks they all have stuff for kids. And in fact, London does a pretty good job at entertaining kids through learning. We can always find stuff for kids alongside learning for adults.  Ellie loves playing in the water and collecting pillows (bean bags) so she can throw them through the chutes in the tree house. Jet just loves being free. I think he has officially spent too much time in the ergo. And I love to watch both of their imaginations at work.

Trains

And Planes. She doesn't sit still for long, so I very rarely get a good picture, ugh.

We always have so much fun running around and learning about all the amazing things that innovative men and women have done throughout history. Ellie especially loves to go places I can't with a stroller and tell me she will meet me at the end (pictured above). It basically gives me a heart attack.

This place, on the other hand, does not give me a heart attack. In fact, I love it! I think it is so important to ingrain a love of learning young and to use every opportunity you can to stimulate the sense of curiosity in little ones. I love when Elle asks me questions (and I love that I can give them adequate answers..only in the science museum). Education is so important at every age.

Water Play:

 Tree House/ Pillow fun:

Sounds and Lights

Building our castle:

 

We also love the Victoria and Albert museum across the street. It is full of artifacts, ceramics, furniture, and sculptures from across the world and through different eras. I especially love all the english history and artifacts they have. It is almost like you are walking through time. Even Jetty wanted to see what it was like to be a baby in the 1600s.

Jet in his ruffle

Bah! This little boy has my heart. He is still crying way too much but I would only put up with that nonsense for this little face. These are some of my favorite pieces from the museum. I can't believe our English adventure is over on Friday. We are so grateful for this opportunity and have had such a fun time, but we are ready to come home. Love and miss you all.