We made it home! Didn't post this yesterday because...jetlag. Our last night in Paris was spent toasting and reminiscing over all the favorite things-- from lunches (Avignon) to trains (German) to museums (lots of debate, no clear winner, there were too many good ones!). But especially all the people--we got to see how and where our friends live and spend some memorable time together; that was incredible.Really really proud of these kids. They were adaptable, kind, and adventurous. Got lots of comments about their backpacks and how they were the same size as each kiddo--and they were so great about it! We all came back a little stronger (we averaged walking 6.5 miles a day!) and our bond was a family is stronger as well. We (mostly) remembered to speak up and stay kind and be full of grace when things got tough. On the flight home we started listing other places we'd like to visit, so our curiosity is still going strong. Had a good first day back. So great to see Mara again that we didn't mind at all when she hogged the bed. Couldn't find the strength to make dinner last night so we got Hawaiian BBQ and talked about the things we loved seeing and that we had missed. Claire mentioned that it was nice being able to read all the signs again, but that she still thought about things like, "it's full of locals, it must be a good place!" before she remembered that we are, once again, locals.

Paris. A delightful (and delicious) morning spent at the open air market down the street. Vendors yelling, fresh fish smelling, clothes & jewelry from around the world to tempt us--what a beautiful way to start the day. Had a wonderful lunch and then headed to our family's favorite museum: the Musée D'Orsay. Enjoyed ice cream, crepes, and waffles at the summer carnival in the Jardin de Tuileries before a bittersweet goodbye to our friends. What a gorgeous end to this trip of our dreams.

Paris. We called this our "posh" day where we dressed up a little extra special and did all kinds of things we had never done before! We saw as much as we could of L'Opera without a ticket, then had some incredible samples and watched chocolate being made at the Lindt store. We rode to the top of Galeries Lafayette for an amazing view and photo op. A little ladybug visited during lunch. We marveled at the glowing glass in Sainte Chappelle (and found the hidden bathrooms in the nearby courthouse!). Dinner was a feast for all the senses and then we enjoyed some silliness on the metro that was uncharacteristically empty on the way home! Paris, you really know how to enjoy life.

Polidor. Since 1845. Family atmosphere, incredible homemade style food, loud and tons of fun.

Video here!

A sneak peek into how people move into and out of these tall, historical buildings in France!

Video here!

Paris. Were wowed by the Eiffel Tower (it gets me every time). Had a glorious picnic in the Jardin de Luxembourg, and were unexpectedly witnesses to a fashion photo shoot of a very poufy orange dress! Spent a slow afternoon watching the people and the little sailboats and then walked through the Marais district. Ended up at our air bnb playing cards and catching up on life. So grateful for this time!

Paris. We ate and laughed and walked our way through the city today. Never had the luxury of time like this before! So many hidden gems (like the wooden turtle sculpture along the Seine) to be discovered. Everyone except Kirk had escargot. No pictures here because the phone died, but the faces were priceless... overall consensus was "not too bad" and we all loved the garlic butter they came in. Crepes, street artists, watching the progress on the rebuilding of Notre Dame, misty fountains to cool us down, we saw it all at the pace of strolling with an ice cream cone.