Summer in Paris - Part I

Ten days ago, we said “au revoir” to our chocolaterie & hastily packed our bags, kids and flew to Paris. A tradition we decided to initiate four years ago as a blended family, we return here to The City of Light (La Ville-Lumière) to spend some uninterrupted time together and give the kids a sense of Europe, while attempting to bond. Things have not been “a piece of gâteau” so far. My husband’s Papa is very sick and nearly died in the hôpital. My boy, Ethan, caught a virus (no doubt on the Metro) and vomited all over Grand-mère’s luxurious wool carpet! And lastly, I developed an irksome head cold (ditto the Metro).

Mon dieu!

Challenges aside, we’ve been able to roam the Gardens of Versailles, saturate our senses in the Louvre, and nibble our fair share of buttery pastries (my Grishko ballet shoes are now thread bound from grueling late nights of work out).

Attempts to improve my French seem frivolous after working so hard all year running a biz and being a mother. Fluency will come someday, I suppose.  For now, I delight in the little boys’ French acquisition! This year, they order for themselves and mannerly “bonjour, merci, & pardon” all of the busy shopkeepers. In fact, they’ve warmed the hearts of numerous Parisians – putting all rumors to rest the Parisians are rude.

A few more weeks to go here… Stay curious!

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