Motor Boatin'

Last Thursday I took the kids on a boat tour of Paris on the Seine River. The kids had been begging to ride a boat and I decided it was so gorgeous last week that we would go. Jarred really wanted to go, but over the weekend the weather forecast was going to turn way cold, so he decided he would sit this one out. The tour actually explained land marks in ENGLISH!! It was great! Things I have seen for several weeks....I now know what they are! The kids loved it too!!

 

 

 

We were able to take some amazing pictures of the Eiffel Tower, and somehow I think I have figured out that our son assumes that Jarred is actually working at the tower. He kept saying "Daddy there"!

 

 

 

One funny story from the tour...Emma sat by a lady that is not from France and does not speak French or English. For some reason this woman and Emma became great friends in our hour and a half tour. Neither one could understand the other, but they talked and laughed for the entire trip. It was hysterical to watch. Scout kept looking at me and saying "What in the world?" My thoughts exactly son!!

 

 

Daddy was able to meet us as we were getting off the boat and he took us for dinner. Of course the kids wanted pizza!! We actually found a great pizza place that we all want to visit again.

 

 

The kids and their fancy glasses!! France doesn't believe in cups with lids. I am convinced!

 

 

Emma's photography!! Not bad! All in all it was a great afternoon. Emma kept saying "best day ever"!

 

 

 

Until Next Time,

Megan

 

 

 

 

 

 

They came! They came!

The boxes came!!! Two men that spoke hardly any English, delivered the boxes this morning. It is about 30 degrees here and the kids were screaming it's Christmas, it's Christmas!! Almost!

 

 

Then a small bomb went off in this 900 square foot of heaven;)

 

 

I don't know who was happier the kids or me?? The kids have been playing all morning with all their "old" toys. We had their scooters sent too and they have been riding them in a small oval in this apartment and couldn't be happier. Oh yeah, and they got some Ramon noodles for lunch.  That is one of their favorites and their Mommy had a case shipped over! They had no idea they were coming and both of them screamed when I pulled them out of the box. Um, I may have had several boxes of nothing but their favorite foods sent over. So they have been meal planning the next week of all American kid friendly cuisine!

 

 

 

That is not all of it. People I have some dignity! But, trust me we're stocked!!

 

 

Oh, and yesterday the kids and I had a fantastic day. We found the closest thing I can find to a large super market and it was awesome. We found syrup, tortillas, coco puffs, and peanut butter MnM's. Yes, it was all very expensive compared to French staples, but we didn't care!! While we were in this large store we noticed that there were flags on some sections to note the different countries and the food represented. Well, of course we had to look and see if there was a U.S. section. As our buggy turned the corner of the aisle, there it was!! A sign of our homeland! And I kid you not, on cue my precious theatrical daughter started belting out "God Bless America". Right there in the French super market. No one else seemed to be amused, but I was tearing up from laughing.

 

Now, let me comment on the food that was stocked in the U.S.A. food section. What would you think? What food would represent 50 states? There were marshmallows, canned tomato soup, Dr. Pepper, ketchup, peanut butter, popcorn, and several other things that I can't remember. (should have taken a picture) It was interesting. But, I suppose if someone looked through all the food we packed, they would think our 'staples' were interesting too!

 

 

 

Until Next Time,

Megan

 

 

ADD? Maybe?

I have a few random thoughts that I couldn't think of a full post on each thought, so I thought I would just put them all in one post. We'll see, this could be a little of my (self diagnosed) attention deficit disorder coming out.

First thing that is on my mind is that it is driving me crazy that I don't speak French. I know that it would have been a great idea to get that ball rolling a long time ago, but let's not dwell on the past. People, think about it. The washing machine is all French. The stove, microwave, oven...that's right all French. In the grocery store all the food, all French. I can't even shop without being frustrated that I don't speak French. I have no idea what I am eating when I can't read the ingredients. I usually count calories, look at protein, sugars, fiber, other nutritional info, but I can't. I don't understand what the package says. Let me give you an example. I went to this all frozen food store last night to pick up a few things for the next few days and I picked up pre-packaged spaghetti for lunch today. It looked like normal ole spaghetti in the picture, I came home and used my app to translate all the major terms on the package and thought OK this is a go. Well, when I started cooking lunch the apartment began to smell, funny we shall say. I went and looked at the frozen spaghetti in the pan that was now defrosting. What looked like small mushrooms were floating in the sauce. I thought to myself, mushrooms don't smell like that. So, I decided to translate every term in the ingredients before I fed it to my children. Oh, that little mushroom looking ingredient was snails. Yes, people SNAILS. Who puts snails in spaghetti? And, why or why would it not say real big on the front of the package SPAGHETTI ESCARGOT? So, the kids ate grilled cheese. (once again)

The other thing on my mind is that our boxes are still not here. I have the majority of Emma's home school stuff, normal food, coats, and toys in those boxes. I want my boxes. I am not above an all out crying show down if they don't arrive soon.

I am also missing our church. We have a wonderful church family and we have yet to time it right that we make it to service in France. It does make my heart proud that the kids are asking to go to church. They love their time with church family just as much as Jarred and I do, so they are really seeking that out. We do have time at home to study and pray, but that connection with other christians is so vital to the way we as a family operate. I am excited to try a new worship experience, but nothing will replace our connection to our hometown church across "the pond"!

 

 

Oh, and this is what I found in the bedroom. Emma and I were working on school work and he was very quiet. I walked in and he was happy as a lark playing with American Girl dolls. I will qualify this by stating that he was putting bandages and casts on them..and he had his gun!

Let me summarize by stating, we are very blessed. We are happy and healthy. Surprisingly to me, the kids are very happy. We have a French tutor starting shortly that will work with the entire family, so shopping will get easier. The boxes are in Paris and we will get them sometime very soon. And, we have found a church that seems like a nice fit. We will be attending and active very soon. Things just have taken more time than I had originally thought. Patience has never been my strong suit, but I am willing to work on myself with a cheerful heart.

Until Next Time,
Megan

International Travel

I had everyone tell me that international travel with a 2 year-old and a 6 year-old would be a NIGHTMARE!! I have to totally disagree! The preparation to get to the airport was by far a bigger challenge than actually being at the airport and on the planes with the kiddos. Now, I must qualify this post by saying that I am sure I have the most well behaved children in the western hemisphere. (HA! HA!) Really, though the stars must have aligned because overall they were very well behaved during the entire travel time. I am also going to add that my son, oh my precious red-headed son decided he wanted to be a big boy and potty train about 5 days before we left. This is AMAZING and EXCITING, except I had already shipped 2 CASES of diapers to France, prepared our carry on bags with all the diapering necessities and now I was able to add big boy underwear, dry pants and socks to the bags....just in case. I am being silly, I love that he is now potty trained!! Life is much easier overall. However, he could have done it a few days earlier to help Mommy out;) 

Back to the travel. We arrived at the airport in Little Rock, checked our 6 (yes I said 6) large suitcases which I had to take 3 pounds out of one bag to put into a another bag that was being loaded onto the same plane. Are you following me? The lady that checked us in said that one of my suitcases weighed 47 lbs and another one weighed 53 lbs and no one suitcase could weigh more than 50 lbs. Now I understand rules. I like rules. We in the therapy world would call me a "Rules Follower". But, at this particular time when I am about to endure 24 hours of international travel with the above  mentioned children. REALLY! I asked politely would the bags be on the same plane? Yes, she replied. Will the weight on the plane not be the same no matter which bag is over and which one is under weight? She thought a few seconds then replied, yes. Well then I still need to sit here and rearrange the bags with my stroller, children, etc. She kindly replied, yes. So I did! What has this world come to?

After all that redistribution of weight. We were checked in. We made it through the security lines in record time. The airport was thankfully not that busy. So getting everything back in order after sending it all through the XRay machine was not that hectic. The kids loved watching the planes come in and take off.

 

 

 

Yes, we went through 3 airports and another country's terminal and taxi ride with my son carrying his weed eater. We endured several stares and nods, but I saw a few smiles from other women as if saying "We get it!" Now, we sent several of his toys in boxes, but this was left at the house and the morning we left Little Rock he clamped onto it. When my parents were helping me unload at the airport, my Dad was trying to get Scout to not take it and we could all see this WAS going to Paris. So instead of taking on a fight, he took it. Pick your battles is what I tell myself over and over as a mother!

 

 

Scout had never flown before, so the entire experience was exciting to him. He loved adjusting the fan and looking out the window. And of course, we had to use every smelly, stinky airplane bathroom. Yes, that was exciting for him too! Hand sanitizer was used in mass quantities on this travel experience!

 

 

This is what a majority of the long plane ride looked like. Jarred and I have made it a huge part of our parenting philosophy to show our children the art of media and technology. We both love TV and movies and we did not want them to miss out on the fun. As you can see, I think we succeeded. Then they fell asleep. They both slept about 4 hours of the 7 hour trip from Washington D.C. to Paris.

 

 

When we landed and got through customs we got to see Daddy. We hadn't seen him in almost 7 weeks, so the travel expereience was worth every minute to get to see him. There were screams, jumps, and tears. We won't mention who did what:)

 

 

 

Until Next Time,

Megan

 

 

 

A Sunny Outing

Yesterday was yucky all day:( However, the sun came out today!! The kids and I wanted to get out of the apartment and we had decided one way or another we were leaving. With umbrellas in hand we headed out the door literally as the sun was beginning to shine. Thank you Lord in heaven!! What were we going to do with the sun shining in this lovely city?? I asked Scout and he said "haircut!", so we walked across the street and he got a haircut. The hair salon is literally right across the street and yesterday afternoon (while it was raining) he stood by the window and watched several little boys get their haircut. Hence the idea. I was not sure how this would work. The hair stylist spoke very little English and.....I should have been a little more serious about the Rosetta Stone we'll just say.  I think the haircut turned out pretty well! Although, Scout kept asking for Joe (Yell county peeps will know who we're talking about!)

 

 

 

 

 

When the hairstylist said "present" Scout knew immediately what she was talking about!! He picked out this excavator. He carried it all over the city today.

 

After the haircut we stopped to get milkshakes!! They were a little "different" but, the kids didn't seem to mind.

 

 

 

While walking home we walked by a street statue and I have to say Scout was totally confused. He kept turning his head from side to side like our old chihuahua that used to sit by the front door. It was hilarious. Emma kept yelling I've seen one before, like he was some kind of zoo exhibit. I could hardly keep the camera straight and the statue was smiling too.

 

 

Today was a good day! The haircut turned out cute. Scout looks a little more stylish with his French hairdo and we had some cheap entertainment. And, just as we walked in the door the bottom fell out. It is raining now.

 

 

Until Next Time,

Megan

 

 

 

 

 

All Alone

The kids and I are sad. Jarred's mother had to leave to go back home this morning.  I am a little apprehensive to be in this big city all day alone with two small children. But, I think getting the kids on a routine and back to a "normal" schedule will hopefully help their sleep. It has been a long time since the four of us have had time to just hang and be a family.

I mentioned in a previous post that the kids were not adjusting well to the their new time zones, therefore, we are not getting a ton of sleep around here. In a desperate attempt to help Scout get used to his new bed and sleep we bought him a new duvet and sham that he picked out. We were all window shopping last week and he saw the dinosaur bedding and said he liked it. So of course...I bought it! It has helped!! He will get in and stay in his bed much better because he thinks his bed is super cool.

 

 

On another note, this may not be a good thing!! This makes his Dad and I very nervous. They are both loving the top bunk:( I see ER visits in our future.

 

 

 

 

In case you were wondering how we get around in this big city. We ride a metro (a subway train) or walk.

 

 

 

They look pretty cute doing both!!!

 

 

Until Next Time,

Megan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank Goodness It's Friday!!!

Jarred had to start back to work on Wednesday and the weather has not been great so, Ghee, the kids, and I all stayed close to the apartment until Friday. On Friday the weather was beautiful and we walked in the city for hours. I didn't take any great pics, but Emma haggled her grandmother and mother into the Disney store at the Champs Elysees and got a new puzzle. It was an absolute MAD HOUSE. Even the French are mesmerized by all that is Disney!! We had an all American meal for lunch by grabbing some McDonald's! It was delicious!!!

 

A great picture of the kids with their Ghee in front of the Seine River with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

 

 

The kids love watching the boats; and the bridges are just beautiful.

 

 

 

Look at those cuties!! They decided to take a break on the lawn in front of the Invalides. That is right after they got done chasing a bunch of pigeons. I was afraid my laundry really would be piled up if they ever caught up to a pigeon (if you know what I mean).

 

 

 

The kids did not look so happy after we walked, walked, and walked trying to figure out how to get into this museum. (Invalides) Oh, then we decided to come back with their Daddy because it was more his cup of tea. HA! They loved that!

 

To be continued.....

 

This is the street that we live on. Looks very European don't you think?? I am holding off on a full post about the apartment until I have more pics without suitcases and laundry everywhere. Ha! If that ever happens?

 

 

Until Next Time,

Megan

 

 

We are finally here!!!

The last few weeks and months have been a lot of anticipation, but we are here. Everyone is safe and sound!! It was great getting to see Jarred and the kids just screamed seeing him at the airport. The airport and travel experience in general are a whole different blog. I will tackle that later in the week!! Jarred's mother was able to fly over with us and she is getting to stay several days so there are another set of hands on deck with this new city to tackle. The kids are loving being in the city and exploring. With the time difference we have not been able to check many things off our list just yet. Jet lag STINKS:( All of us have been up at 11pm until 2am while Jarred is trying to sleep. Not Fun!! I am not a patient woman, but I think 3 nights of that are enough. Won't you agree?? Tonight I think I must put my foot down and we SLEEP!! I have brought out my trusty weapon of choice with the children....I'll buy you a surprise!!!

 

This is the reunited family in front of Not re Dame Tuesday afternoon. The weather was nice and it wasn't raining so we went for a walk to explore. We ate dinner at a Greek restaurant (if you want to call it that?) near the Cathedral. The kids were great and asked several questions about what was going on.

 

 

 

After dinner Mom insisted on some gellato and we had the most amazing deserts to share. As you can see Scout was a major fan!! There are no pictures of Emma with hers because she devoured it in .2 seconds. Ha!

 

 

This morning Ghee and I took the kids for a walk and to play in a local park. Emma made a friend with a small French girl and Scout told a couple of little French boys all about his tractors back home. (I don't think they cared, but don't tell him!) We were there with several French children and their Au Peres.  

 

 

And last, but not least!! While Jarred and I ran to the market to get a few housewares we picked up a pump dart gun for Scout. Emma decided to haul a lot of her babies and things in her carry on luggage, but Mom was not thinking and had Scout's sent in the boxes. Therefore, he didn't have many toys when we arrived. Well his Daddy decided he needed a few things. You can take the Rednecks out of the country, but obviously you can't take the country out of the Rednecks!!!

 

 

Until Next Time,

Megan