Saturday, May 21, 2016

the kids are here

Today is the day my younger girl and her husband fly into Paris. Our focus is on their early arrival. The excitement is palpable!

I dash out to get a breakfast baked goods -- oh, the usual, of course: at Les Gourmandises d'Eiffel. (Only I don't quite put myself together as well as, say this morning shopper. Tomorrow morning, on goes the lipstick!)


Paris with the family-2.jpg



Let's feature the bakery's cakes today:


Paris with the family-3.jpg



Though of course, my purchase is from this shelf:


Paris with the family-4.jpg




And berries at the green grocer's (yep, Harry Cover).



Paris with the family-5.jpg



Here's the check out counter, where evidence of early morning delivery/accounting, along with many cups of espresso abounds.



Paris with the family-6.jpg



And no sooner does Snowdrop eat her breakfast (oh! which do I eat first??)...



Paris with the family-12.jpg



...and is bathed and dressed, then boom! Her aunt and uncle arrive!

Is that really you?? All the way from Minneapolis??



Paris with the family-17.jpg



Yes!


Paris with the family-16.jpg




We ask Snowdrop to show the new arrivals the Eiffel Tower. She runs excitedly toward the window. Here! Look here, look here, look here!



Paris with the family-18.jpg



We make plans for the day: the youngest couple will rest a while, Snowdrop's dad will work and mom, Snowdrop and grandma will run an errand or two, then go to a new park we think may be nice for the little girl.

We can go out now???



Paris with the family-25.jpg



Errands include picking up a new stroller toy (the one I brought over was at some moment taken, possibly by some child).

How about that mouse? Let's call her souris.



Paris with the family-27.jpg



We also stop at a children's clothing store. It is so warm today that Snowdrop has shunned tights. We need a diaper cover.

This is what children do when their parents spend too long in the store:



Paris with the family-28.jpg



Thankfully, our errand is a quick one.

The park we choose is just across the Place des Invalides. I've passed it a million times and never once considered how ideal it might be for my granddaughter. Yes, you do look at places with new eyes when you travel with young ones.


Paris with the family-39.jpg



We thought she'd enjoy the sand box here, but she surprises us by preferring a stroll. It's a gated park and so there is no danger of her running out on the street. She walks...


Paris with the family-42.jpg



she runs through grassy areas...


Paris with the family-51.jpg



She is joyous and appreciative of these moments where she can do whatever her heart tells her.


Paris with the family-50.jpg



Can I just put a smiley face here? Your run, Snowdrop, is precious.


Paris with the family-54.jpg



We come back in time for her nap. The young set goes out in search of sandwiches for lunch (after studying carefully which bakery might deliver the best ones, of course; we are like that). They come back with pastries as well.


Paris with the family-8-2.jpg



Then comes the big walk: how is it that the young couple can do this, given the long flight, the lack of sleep, the tiredness?

We do it anyway. Starting here:


Paris with the family-12-2.jpg



We cut across to the right bank and suddenly we are part of a huge wave of humanity. There's no escape. Or is there? We find the carousel. (Or are you of the opinion that it should be referred to as a merry-go-round?)



Paris with the family-24-2.jpg



We continue. Snowdrop is thrilled to have these two guide her through the tumult.


Paris with the family-35-2.jpg



And then to have her dose of freedom.


Paris with the family-43-2.jpg



Joy is running where your spirit pulls you.


Paris with the family-44-2.jpg



Relief is having other help you master the tough steps in life.


Paris with the family-47-2.jpg



My two young families.



Paris with the family-53-2.jpg



Views we pass along the way...


Paris with the family-66.jpg



And now it is evening and we are all supposed to go out to dinner, but Snowdrop is feeling a bit under the weather and so the parents stay home with her and I go out with just the youngest couple. Perhaps it is at it should be -- after all, I haven't seen them for such a long time. We eat at a wonderful place -- Au Passage, clear across town. Small plates, young crowd, delicious food, not trendy for show but showy nonetheless -- how do these people do such artful stuff??? (This is our side carrot dish...)


Paris with the family-76.jpg



We're nearly done now -- the day is so late for the youngest couple of course, but too for the older set (that would be me). We stop at just one place in this neighborhood that has a mixture of many trendy and less trendy places  -- Pop In -- where we have one last drink before returning home.


Paris with the family-82.jpg



Oh, the evening doesn't end there. Snowdrop's parents are eager for stories and updates and we all have an exhilarating time recalling, exaggerating, sharing. And now I am the only one up and you have to forgive me the lack of editing because really, we all should have been asleep many many hours ago.

3 comments:

  1. Nina, I've been enjoying all of your photos, so filled with joy and love. I'm happy for you to have this priceless family time.
    You have been the maestro of travel arrangements!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nina, you seem to be walking on air. Air filled with love...of family...of wonderful food...of glorious Paris...of life. This makes me very happy. Thank you for sharing your trip.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Delightful. No apologies needed. It is amazing to me how you manage to blog with all your family there. What a wonderful day of Paris with your favorite people.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.