Eiffel Tower Day, Take 2 - July 18

Up and at 'em early this morning and we took an Uber over to the Eiffel Tower to try to beat the crowds. With a couple days of reduced access this week between the crowds for Bastille Day and crowds for the World Cup Final, we were hoping to skip a couple hours of standing in line of the days since. Alas, even with getting there before security lines opened, it was still quite a line. But nonetheless, we got our day started and we were able to finish our sight-seeing before everyone was too hungry, thirsty or generally cranky.

We got our tickets, our spot on the lift and headed up. Jackson was sure to make a time lapse video of he elevator journey up.

Little Miss Sunshine under the Eiffel Tower... and the looooong line to go up.

Group shot of our brood of 4 - with Leah Elena carrying Lilly this morning!

The sweetest little hand

The view back down from the top (the pond where the ducks were... 18 years ago)

Lilly’s first roller coaster - July 17

Well, this was awesome. There's a video to go along with it. Actually, a couple videos.

After Moma, Jackson and Molly went on the splash ride in the fair on the north side of the Tuileries by Rue de Rivoli, sweet Lilly kept shouting "I too, I too!!" So we all selected a perfect ride and car for her. We of course put her in Lightning McQueen car on the Grand Prix and buckled her in. She was so proud and happy sitting in that car all big and by herself. And hen it started moving. The look on her face was priceless. As in, "OMG, does anyone realize this thing is MOVING!?!"

So the four of us spread out to different corners of the ride and cheered her on so she knew it was okay. And then, there was a hill on the ride. Whoa! That took her SEVERAL turns before she wasn't obviously wondering "what the thunder?!"

All in, it was a success and everyone was delighted.

Afterwards, Lilly and I got a seat in the Tuileries, just outside the fair and Jackson and Molly took a quick run through the fun house.

Lilly *once again* collected sugar from a random French stranger, this time on the form of a churro from a futbol-Jersey wearing 20-something sitting behind us. She stared at it and him for awhile and then finally mimicked him in eating it and WHEW! Sugar! Obviously amused, she got after it. Either Lilly is a candy/sugar magnet or giving sugar and sweets to babies is a French thing. I'm guessing the latter but will have to investigate.

These Three

Tigey, Dottie and Bebe are the kids only companions that traveled with us from home. We've managed to pick up a few odds and ends along the way (mostly from kids meals at restaurants, but also a pocket fooseball table Jackson got at the 1€ store in Florence) but it's remarkable how little they've had, how little they've needed also how much they have enjoyed and treasured the few items they have.

Definitely an insight worth bringing home.

Paris to Cork on the Plane!

Such fun to load up outside and once again- we got to self-service our luggage a bit. Again, with a smaller European plane, even our 20" suitcases were gate checked and put into the cargo hold

But here's the real delightful bit: the coffee and drinks on the plane were not only free, but delicious! And then... wait for it... our *free* snacks were a trio of delicious madeleines in vanilla, chocolate and raspberry. Leah Elena was asleep and in the row ahead of us so we asked the flight attendant to please leave one for her so she wouldn't miss out on this amazing-ness.

Well, our enthusiasm for the madeleines came full circle because the same lovely flight attendant came back and gave us some extra madeleines for later!

Lilly was a hot mess the whole flight, not sleeping. And I have now changed her diaper on two airplane bathrooms and a catamaran bathroom - among other tricky situation (ahem- dirty diaper at the beach 👎) but the crew was so helpful and kind that the crazy toddler situation wasn't really that bad at all.

Much to the kids delight, we got to exit the plane in the rear- which Jackson had asked about while still at CDG. So this went over huge. As we left our seats I did a final sweep as I tend to do (though some might call it a wee bit OCD) to look for random things we left behind and even joked about it with the flight attendant.

Much to our disappointment in the evening, Leah Elena realized she had taken off her special ring which her grandmother had given her so she could put on some hand lotion and then fell asleep- forgetting it. We've been calling airports and airlines and filing missing items reposts already. On a hopeful note- apparently our plane just goes back and forth between Cork and Paris with the same crew, so at least it stays between the two airports- assuming it's still in the plane.

**Update** On Thursday night, Leah Elena got a call from the Cork Airport lost and found and they have her ring!! On Saturday we are driving to Dublin so will go the route through Cork and get it. Amazing!!

The Walk Back to the House

Blackberries are Lilly's new obsession

Triomphe Steps

Mama on the steps

Emmanuel the Bell

Possibly my favorite picture of the whole trip.

Sainte Chapelle

I was delighted to get to bring everyone into my favorite little Chapel. Annie suggested I visit this hidden gem in the summer of 2000 and though it has definitely picked up notoriety as a tourist stop, not a thing has changed. And today we were lucky enough to visit on a sunny afternoon without clouds or rain, which allowed the incredible stained glass windows to glow.

Even my travel-weary warriors were in awe.

The King of France (Louis IX of Saint Louis) built this chapel in seven quick years during the 13th century to house Jesus' Crown of Thorns, acquired by Saint Louis. Scenes from old and New Testament are the subject of the 1,1113 windows.

I love how you can't even see it from the road and enter a court yard of newer public courthouses and offices. It's not much to speak of, really. There are pieces of the chapel on the ground surrounding the monument within a fence. After you walk around back and enter, it is hard to believe the phenomenonal ambience of the space you just walked around.

Eiffel Tower Family Selfie

Family selfie under the Eiffel Tower

July 18

Le Metro

July 18

Such fun to explore the city underground, too. And certainly an efficient way of getting around town. So long as we aren't in a major transfer station (which equals a lot of steps). But today we didn't have the stroller, anyway - Lilly was just strapped to me via the Ergo Baby a napping away. So we glided around with ease.

The kids are getting the hang of following the signs, ensuring they're boarding the right platform and counting stops so they know when to get off the train.

Crepe Monsters

Wild animals in their natural habitat, fighting for more bites of a Nutella Crepe near the American Embassy.

It later fueled rubix cube fiddling while their dad walked down the street for more diapers for their spilled little sister.

Guerlain Store

Eighteen years ago, while a student in Paris, I went into the Guerlain store on the Champs-Élysées and bought a bottle of a musky-floral Eau de Parfum of the same name. The lovely bottle of concentrated Parfum has lasted nearly two decades for all manner of special events- including our wedding day.

Today we walked back into that same store (now expanded) and got a new bottle of Champs-Élysées Eau de Parfum. It turns out, two years ago they reverted to the original bottle shapes for all their classic fragrances, so the bottle is different but the smell is exactly the same. 💕

Molly was thrilled to be along for the experience and even more thrilled when he darling salesgirl gave Molly her very own lagniappe in her very own Guerlain bag. And then, to delight her even more, she kept bringing out more samples. One that even smelled like Barbe á Papa called La Petite Robe Noire.  Soon after, we encountered a real deal Barbe a Papa stand in the Tuileries.

Inside the top of Arc du Triomphe

Memorials honoring soldiers
Video camera to the bottom
Molly-Mama selfie