Oh the Places We Went- Paris

 (Our first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower)

I've been keeping a secret from you. We left 2 weeks ago today for our trip to Paris and London. We got back this past Wednesday around midnight. It took me until Sunday to shake off the jet lag induced fog.

(The view from our apartment)

I've struggled with how to tell you the story of our trip. I could very well start this post with: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Fortunately there was much more best than worst and now that it is behind us we are able to (mostly) laugh at the worst. I've decided to share the Paris part of our trip with you today and the London post next.

 (I loved the architectural detail in our apartment)

I could use hundreds of words to describe the day we left on our adventure but let me instead, give you the summary in bullet point format:

 

(Emma enjoying the view in her new Paris jammies)

• Maddie races to doctor last minute to deal with ongoing stomach virus that won't let up.
• Emma passes out from apparent dehydration/electrolyte issue while taking a shower and hits her head and must be watched for signs of a concussion
• Have to take two trips to drugstore thanks to being called home for hysterical, passing out child and still manage to forget about half the things on my list.
• Get to airport and find out my hubby has been upgraded to 1st class for our initial leg of the trip while the rest of us sit in coach.
• See Jeff Saturday (beloved Colts player) and realize he is on our flight and think it's a good omen. Finally.
• Find out our flight is delayed and start to stress about making our tight connection for our flight to London.
• Get snippy with husband because flights were scheduled so close together
• Get to Chicago and make a run for our gate only to realize that our London flight has been delayed. Until 8am the next morning.
• Wait in line forever to be told there is nothing that can be done for us and are given food vouchers that are no good since by this time all the restaurants are closed.
• Stay calm until it dawns on me that this delay is going to cost us $2,000 and a day of our vacation and then have nervous breakdown at O'hare Gate C16.
• Have pity taken on us by 2 United supervisors who get us booked onto a early morning flight to Houston and a connection that takes us straight to Paris and then book us into the Airport Hilton where we get a room with a double bed, a loveseat, a chair and a conference table for the 4 of us to sleep in for the 4 hours we have until we have to be back at the airport.

I am happy to say that after this auspicious beginning, once we got to Paris it was all wonderful. Sadly the time flew by and  it was hard to fit everything in. The food was amazing. Our apartment was well located and charming.

We loved riding the metro. Even my little country mouse Emma was not intimated by it and we loved the musicians that hang out on the trains and in the tunnels serenading the riders.

We also loved the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, riding on the water boat tour and getting off to explore the city. The city was just beautiful. There was so much to take in.

We loved the people too. I still can't get this Madame out of my mind. Doesn't her face tell a story? I wish I knew what exactly that story is. Since I don't, I've made one up for her. Don't worry. It has a happy ending.

 (Dinner on our first night in Paris)

For Emma things have a tendency to not live up to her expectation of them. This was not the case in Paris. She took to it like a duck to water, and I have to say, the city took to her too. She charmed them every where she went with her natural Parisian style and her Bonjour's and Merci's. They were helpless to resist her. She is normally our little shy one who doesn't like to talk to strangers (or sit next to them) and who we can barely get to order her own meal at a restaurant. This was not the case on the trip. She fit right in and she knew it. These were her people and she was happy to get in line to pay for things herself and spoke to every shopkeeper like a pro. What she lacked in language skills she made up for with smiles and piggy braids.

(Dinner on our first night in Paris)

Maddie took to Paris like a teenager who is legally allowed to have a drink. I never did adjust to that and just looking at this picture has me feeling uncomfortable. She loved the city too and I think it sparked in her a realization that she can spread her wings and fly anywhere she wants to in this big wide world. I hope she goes out and sees as much as she can.

 (Dinner by the Eiffel Tower on our last night)

The girls got along so beautifully on this vacation. There was a whole lot of family togetherness going on and it could have turned ugly but it didn't.

 (Exhausted on the water bus)

I think before I post about London I will come back and post some of my Instagram pics from Paris as they are some of my favorites. So for now, Au revoir!

 (Courtyard on the walk from the metro to our apartment)