That's right, we are in Paris, and enjoying every minute of it. Sort of.
Traveling with kids is interesting--- our kids are very good, rather experienced, world travelers but we've realized that they equate travel with relaxation and non-stop "fun", rather than adventure and learning.
This trip has been "work"---you know, lots of walking, on and off trains, waiting in lines, more walking, learning about history, admiring famous art. This is not a sit-by-the-pool-and-chill trip, and they are starting to feel it. Right now, as I write this blog post, they are in this teeny-tiny hotel room having a blast, playing some elaborate game with their stuffed animals and blankets. They are ecstatic! They are begging us not to leave the room tonight, to just stay here and relax. Sigh. We just might give in.
So, having said that, I have no doubt that they will look back on this trip (and probably sooner rather than later) and say "Wow!! We had a picnic by the Eiffel Tower! We ate pizza at an adorable cafe right outside Notre Dame! We saw the Mona Lisa in Le Lovre! We traipsed around Montmartre watching painters and sat on the steps of the Sacre Coeur church! Thanks Mom and Dad!" But until then, I'm listening to them say they'd like to just play in the hotel room, despite my reminding them how lucky they are, and that when I was a kid the most exciting thing I ever did was a road trip in the family station wagon.
So, tomorrow, more museums and perhaps a walk down Champs-Elysees. Tonight, we chill. C'est la vie.
Traveling with kids is interesting--- our kids are very good, rather experienced, world travelers but we've realized that they equate travel with relaxation and non-stop "fun", rather than adventure and learning.
This trip has been "work"---you know, lots of walking, on and off trains, waiting in lines, more walking, learning about history, admiring famous art. This is not a sit-by-the-pool-and-chill trip, and they are starting to feel it. Right now, as I write this blog post, they are in this teeny-tiny hotel room having a blast, playing some elaborate game with their stuffed animals and blankets. They are ecstatic! They are begging us not to leave the room tonight, to just stay here and relax. Sigh. We just might give in.
So, having said that, I have no doubt that they will look back on this trip (and probably sooner rather than later) and say "Wow!! We had a picnic by the Eiffel Tower! We ate pizza at an adorable cafe right outside Notre Dame! We saw the Mona Lisa in Le Lovre! We traipsed around Montmartre watching painters and sat on the steps of the Sacre Coeur church! Thanks Mom and Dad!" But until then, I'm listening to them say they'd like to just play in the hotel room, despite my reminding them how lucky they are, and that when I was a kid the most exciting thing I ever did was a road trip in the family station wagon.
So, tomorrow, more museums and perhaps a walk down Champs-Elysees. Tonight, we chill. C'est la vie.
