Sunday in Paris

Well, we have been in Paris for a week now, and we feel like we are really settling in and getting used to the rhythm of the city.We have  The kids are also adjusting, and very importantly they, and we, are sleeping so much better. We are all having a great time, exploring the city! Paris is really amazing. Beautiful, and so full of life and character.

Today we all slept in after getting in late from the train ride home. After a small snack for the kids we bundled-up and ventured out ready for a coffee and hungry for a Pain au Chocolat to discover that everything in Paris is closed on Sunday. :(  Ok, not EVERYTHING, but almost all stores, cafes, etc are closed. Only activities and restaurants in the touristy areas are open. Since we are not staying in a particularly touristy area, we had to seek out some breakfast. After grabbing a quick bite from a little cafe across from San Germain du Pres (the oldest church in Paris built in like 500), we walked to the Luxembourg Gardens. The clouds were threatening rain, and S was hopped-up on jelly from his breakfast crepe. It was a great place for him to run out some energy. We rented him a little sail boat and since it was so windy it sailed all over the fountain. He had such a great time! (There was a major tantrum at the end of the morning but who wants to harp on the details of him screaming at the top of his lungs like he was being kidnapped for about 7 blocks?)

G and S launching their sailboat

We went back to the apartment for lunch just as the sprinkles started. After we all refueled we took the bus to the Lourve (since we bought season passes we can skip the whole line and walk right in). This trip we saw the large canvas rooms and the grand gallery. It was a really good trip. The kids were pretty engaged. S was excited to see "her" and E flirted with everyone he saw. S was underwhelmed by "her" the Mona Lisa. But I was actually impressed. I have always heard she wasn't very exciting so my expectations were low. The crowd surrounding her was insane, so we didn't stay to long in that room. After a while we let S zone out and play on his little video game, and G and I were able to take in a few full hours of art! We ended the day at the Hard Rock. I have been feeling just a touch homesickness so a dinner of nachos, margaritas, and rock n' roll really made me feel comfortable and at ease.

In front of the Lourve 

More sightseeing in the city tomorrow, and I am really feeling good about our ability to keep the kids happy and engaged while G and I are also able to enjoy all of the interesting things France has to offer.