But there were two last summer hurrahs...

First, a long weekend in Paris with John, Melissa, Cooper, Cole and Lilly. Paris is most definitely different depending on whether you are by yourself or with another adult or with three children. We walked and walked and walked and packed as many monuments as we could in three days even with the jetlag that most of the group had. I am still in awe that Lilly went to bed at 9 pm the first night and slept until 1 pm the next day. 

Of course the highlight of the monuments was the Eiffle Tower. Cooper has been asking to go to the Eiffle Tower since I think he could talk.  Luckily we purchased tickets in advance so we did not have to wait in the enormous lines.  Apparently it is the most visited monument in the world with over 7 million visitors a year.  In the days before our visit we completed the educational activity sheets I had printed in advance.  I've always loved playing school.  We learned Gustave Eiffel built the tower in  1889 on the occasion of the Universal Expo and celebrating the centenery of the French Revolution.  He was an engineer who also designed the Statue of Liberty.  It was the tallest building in the world until 1929 and gets a new coat of paint every 7 years.  Having an almost two year old in a stroller is a great excuse NOT to take the stairs.  The glass elevators take you to the first and second floors at 58 meters and then yes, we took another elevator even further- all the way to the top- 180 meters.  After photographing the city from all angles we stopped back at the 58 meter mark for lunch where they served cake shaped like the Eiffle Tower of course!  And really amazing macaroni and cheese with panceta. 

And who would have known they would have so many carousels in Paris. It seemed at every historical monument there was also a carousel. In fact there was a whole carnival set up in the Tuileries Gardens near the Louvre.  Did you know you can go on bumper cars in Paris?? I have never been a big fan of bumper cars so cannot say I've had a lot of experience driving them.  But I am a Bostonian driver so know I can be somewhat aggresive behind the wheel.  But Boston drivers pale in comparison to these bumper car drivers.  I preferred watching the boys move the lazy sailboats around the fountain.

Grocery shopping was also a big hit. We discovered a sea salt butter and proceeded to consume a whole pound spread on fresh baguettes over our three days in Paris. Cooper declared the chocolate crossaints in Paris far superior to those in America. We unanimously agreed. And we ate ice cream at least once a day.  So sad to watch them get in a taxi to travel south while I waited for a flight back to Saudi Arabia. Is the summer really over??!!

 Arrival in our flat for the weekend.


A flat with a view.

Professional grocery shopper.

 Gummy smurfs...
  and baguettes!!



  Breakfast: the most important meal of the day.



An hour and a half of walking and we decide to take the funiculaire rather than the 500 plus steps up to the Sacre Coeure.


 But what a view!  Supposedly as high as the Eiffle Tower.  It sits on the highest point in Paris- the summit of the butte Montmartre.  Construction on it began in 1845 and it wasn't finished until 1914! 

No help needed.

These French models were everywhere! :)

The Louvre-- next time we'll see the Mona Lisa.
















  Future tour guide: Lilly points out that she is on the Pont Neuf (New Bridge) which is actually the oldest bridge across the River Seine.


                                                                  Notre Dame


                                              Infamous flying butresses

And we made it to the Arc de Triomphe- the monument that honors those who fought and died in the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars.  Beneath it's vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiar from World War I.

                                          Bon Voyage!