I missed the Mother's Day breakfast at the day care and we completely forgot the day in Paris but then when we got back I had such a lovely surprise! I found my gifts so cool, that I had to share them with everyone.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
our Trip to Paris or A Squash and a Squeeze
Family Huber went to Paris! Our friends Kerstin and Benoît live in Paris and since we haven't seen each other in awhile, Benoît thought it would be great idea to surprise Kerstin for her birthday. So, last Friday we packed our bags and off we went!
The trip there went well. And after unpacking our bags in one of the tiniest hotel room I think I have ever had (see the pics further down) we headed off to Trocadero to see the Eiffel Tower. The view is best from there and we thought Lucas might find it cool. It took us awhile to walk down to the Eiffel Tower though since there are lots of things that distract small children on the way (like men selling useless junk toys, carrousels, walls that need to be walked on...) Things that neither Ralph nor I had noticed on our previous trips to Paris.
It was lots of fun visiting the city with kids. Sure it was different. Honestly, Lucas could have cared less about a lot of the sites but he was finding cool things that we never have noticed before and enjoying the bus and boats rides. Never before would I have imagined that I would be searching through Paris for a playground (which isn't quite as common as you would think).
Here are a few highlights from our trip:
Lucas with Kerstin's cousins (left) and sister (right). Isn't this every boys dream?
We love Berthillon ice cream! Even Lea couldn't resist. The wait is long, even when the temperature is cool, but so worth it. The good news, lots of places carry on the island carry it now, so the wait isn't quite as long as it could be :-)
Since the line for going up the Eiffel Tower was incredibly long we managed to convince Lucas that it would be equally cool to take a ride on the Batobus. So we saw the sights from the Seine. Turns out is also a great place to change diapers (we had to do it somewhere - there are NO change tables in the city).
Lucas goofing around while we were waiting for dinner near the Centre Pompidou. He can be so cute!
Sleeping kids in front of Notre Dame!Sight seeing can be really exhausting. I guess we'll be revisiting this site with them on our next trip°!
Check out our squishy room. We were wall to wall bed! When we first saw the room the bed for Lucas wasn't there yet. We asked for a larger room and he said that it was the only room the second bed would fit in! Did I mention that the room is on the ground floor? Anyway the first night Lucas slept in the single and Ralph, Lea and I slept in the double. Lea unfortunately didn't understand that it wasn't a slumber party and was a party girl all night long. Thankfully Benoît was able to borrow a travel bed and after that our nights were much more peacefull. And thankfully the bed was a pack n' play; it fight exactly in the spot and we were still able to open the bathroom door half-way!
Our resumé: great trip! Paris a great city that you can visit again and again and again... Warning to those with small children: Paris is not child friendly. There are barely any escalators (you can forget about elevators) in the metro and they are usually going the wrong way. The restaurants often have children's meals and the wait-staff are great with the kids but you won't find a highchair nor a change table anywhere. Oh and supposedly it's not uncommon that hotels don't have baby beds either. But if you and you're kids are flexible than nothing to keep you from enjoying the romantic city with your kids :-)
The trip there went well. And after unpacking our bags in one of the tiniest hotel room I think I have ever had (see the pics further down) we headed off to Trocadero to see the Eiffel Tower. The view is best from there and we thought Lucas might find it cool. It took us awhile to walk down to the Eiffel Tower though since there are lots of things that distract small children on the way (like men selling useless junk toys, carrousels, walls that need to be walked on...) Things that neither Ralph nor I had noticed on our previous trips to Paris.
It was lots of fun visiting the city with kids. Sure it was different. Honestly, Lucas could have cared less about a lot of the sites but he was finding cool things that we never have noticed before and enjoying the bus and boats rides. Never before would I have imagined that I would be searching through Paris for a playground (which isn't quite as common as you would think).
Here are a few highlights from our trip:
Since the line for going up the Eiffel Tower was incredibly long we managed to convince Lucas that it would be equally cool to take a ride on the Batobus. So we saw the sights from the Seine. Turns out is also a great place to change diapers (we had to do it somewhere - there are NO change tables in the city).
Lucas goofing around while we were waiting for dinner near the Centre Pompidou. He can be so cute!
Sleeping kids in front of Notre Dame!Sight seeing can be really exhausting. I guess we'll be revisiting this site with them on our next trip°!
Check out our squishy room. We were wall to wall bed! When we first saw the room the bed for Lucas wasn't there yet. We asked for a larger room and he said that it was the only room the second bed would fit in! Did I mention that the room is on the ground floor? Anyway the first night Lucas slept in the single and Ralph, Lea and I slept in the double. Lea unfortunately didn't understand that it wasn't a slumber party and was a party girl all night long. Thankfully Benoît was able to borrow a travel bed and after that our nights were much more peacefull. And thankfully the bed was a pack n' play; it fight exactly in the spot and we were still able to open the bathroom door half-way!
Our resumé: great trip! Paris a great city that you can visit again and again and again... Warning to those with small children: Paris is not child friendly. There are barely any escalators (you can forget about elevators) in the metro and they are usually going the wrong way. The restaurants often have children's meals and the wait-staff are great with the kids but you won't find a highchair nor a change table anywhere. Oh and supposedly it's not uncommon that hotels don't have baby beds either. But if you and you're kids are flexible than nothing to keep you from enjoying the romantic city with your kids :-)
Thursday, April 8, 2010
What does your 10 month old do?
You've got to love Lea. Just when you think that she's can't surprise you anymore you turn around and voilà she's doing it again!Most babies at 10 months are busy crawling, pulling themselves up. Some like Lea walk around pushing chairs. But how many climb up slides? Look at her! Lea had been working at it for a couple of days but this evening her socks fell off and the off she went. She didn't get very far until I put a toy that I didn't want her to have at the top and then up she went, grabbed it and slid down. She thought it was so great she spent at least 10 minutes climbing up and sliding down.
We love Lea - she's always coming up with something new to keep us on our toes.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Let the sandbox be opened!
Spring is here and the kids are loving the great weather. Lucas couldn't wait to jump in to the sandbox (understandable since we don't have a swing set). Well, where Lucas is Lea is not far behind so we dressed Madame up on her rain pants and put her beside her big brother. Lea loved it! Especially the taste. I think when that there was defniately less sand in the box when I took her out.Since then Lea seems to be "addicted" to the outdoors. Everytime I open the door to the terrace she beelines there and heads outside. Grass, leaved, pinecones... everything has to be turned over and tried out. It's going to be a fun summer. Not to mention the washing...
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
When they're quiet
Shh, do you hear that? Nothing. Pure silence. What a blissful noise!
Not that I don't love my kids, but sometimes one needs some peace and quiet.
I went upstairs to feed Lea and chat with a friend on the phone and she fell asleep while drinking. And then on the way downstairs I realized how quiet it was and was preparing myself for the worst (because we all know what it usually means when children are being quiet) and lo and behold I found an sleeping angel. I guess he mussed have been playing "bedtime" and actually fell asleep.
And what am I doing with this peacefull time? Nothing. I'm leaving the mess and chaos as it is, the wet laundry in the machine and am sharing this moment with you.
And the winner is...
Our package has arrived. It was just like Christmas! I am so happy to finally have full set of diapers. And the winner? Tots Bots FlexiTots for Lea and Tots Bots Bamboozles for Lucas. There are also 3 bum genius pockets for when Lea and I are out and about. And talk about perfect timing. We ran out of disposables for Lucas and the next day we were on to cloth. Lucas likes it and he's gotten used to having to wear underwear every day. I can't say it has helped him potty train (I still have to think for him) but he doesn't put up as much of a fuss when I tell him to go. He even goes by himself sometimes. And when we're out and about we have trainers (extra thick underwear), which in the case of an accident buy me a little time to get to somewhere where we can change.
Regrets? None yet.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Just an ordinary week
It's Saturday night and we just got home from having dinner at Christina's house. The children are sleeping, Ralph is watching golf and I am reflecting upon the week. Somehow I didn't manage to write this week although there were so many entries I had written in my head during the day but had forgotten by the time little people were sleeping peacefully and all was still in the house.
Highlights in the last 7 days:
Saturday
I got to go out! It was Diana's birthday and the ladies went out for dinner. I left Princess Lea with Ralph and Lucas and she was well behaved! She even learned how to say Papa. But just to make sure that I didn't think I had been replaced, she woke up just before I came home and patiently waited with her Papa, staring out her bedroom window, waiting for me to come home.
Monday
We started out by going to the gym. Lea was sleeping when we arrived so I was optimistic that I might finally get a full workout in. Turns out Lea had other plans, after 20 minutes I got called back; the couldn't console her. Not even Lucas could help. Will I ever get any use out of this gym membership?
Lucas got his sling off. His collar bone is more or less healed. We do need to avoid activities where he might fall on his arm for at least a week or two.To Lucas' dismay this includes riding his push-bike.
Tuesday
What a long day. It rained and poured and we didn't want to go out in it. And since Lucas' arm isn't 100% we couldn't go to his gymnastics course. To help the day go by we baked a cake and Lucas helped the whole time. He is turning out to be a great helper (when he feels up to it).
Thursday
Ralph went out for the evening so I had to bring the kids to bed alone. Lucas' independence made a re-appearance. For weeks now he's been on a baby-kick (I'm a baby: change me, feed me...). But at bed time since my hands were full with Lea he actually got himself undressed, got on the toilet himself, helped get his pyjamas on, brushed his teeth and didn't throw on tantrum. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that things continue this way
Friday
The weather was ice cold but so nice sunny, so we got the bike and the trailer out and took them for a spin. Spring can't be far away now.
Saturday
Correction on the spring part. This morning we woke up to a winter wonderland. Anyone seen the shovel?
We went to Christina's this evening for Thai curry. During dinner Lea took the opportunity to finally start sitting. I was ecstatic (I find these little milestones very exciting). Then, while I was getting her ready for bed she decided that to avoid getting her diaper on she should make a quick getaway - on all 4s! She crawled and I have to say was pretty quick for a beginner.
Well, that was the last couple of days. Amazing what little things can help break up / brighten the monotony of the week.
Highlights in the last 7 days:
Saturday
I got to go out! It was Diana's birthday and the ladies went out for dinner. I left Princess Lea with Ralph and Lucas and she was well behaved! She even learned how to say Papa. But just to make sure that I didn't think I had been replaced, she woke up just before I came home and patiently waited with her Papa, staring out her bedroom window, waiting for me to come home.
Monday
We started out by going to the gym. Lea was sleeping when we arrived so I was optimistic that I might finally get a full workout in. Turns out Lea had other plans, after 20 minutes I got called back; the couldn't console her. Not even Lucas could help. Will I ever get any use out of this gym membership?
Lucas got his sling off. His collar bone is more or less healed. We do need to avoid activities where he might fall on his arm for at least a week or two.To Lucas' dismay this includes riding his push-bike.
Tuesday
What a long day. It rained and poured and we didn't want to go out in it. And since Lucas' arm isn't 100% we couldn't go to his gymnastics course. To help the day go by we baked a cake and Lucas helped the whole time. He is turning out to be a great helper (when he feels up to it).
Thursday
Ralph went out for the evening so I had to bring the kids to bed alone. Lucas' independence made a re-appearance. For weeks now he's been on a baby-kick (I'm a baby: change me, feed me...). But at bed time since my hands were full with Lea he actually got himself undressed, got on the toilet himself, helped get his pyjamas on, brushed his teeth and didn't throw on tantrum. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that things continue this way
Friday
The weather was ice cold but so nice sunny, so we got the bike and the trailer out and took them for a spin. Spring can't be far away now.
Saturday
Correction on the spring part. This morning we woke up to a winter wonderland. Anyone seen the shovel?
We went to Christina's this evening for Thai curry. During dinner Lea took the opportunity to finally start sitting. I was ecstatic (I find these little milestones very exciting). Then, while I was getting her ready for bed she decided that to avoid getting her diaper on she should make a quick getaway - on all 4s! She crawled and I have to say was pretty quick for a beginner.
Well, that was the last couple of days. Amazing what little things can help break up / brighten the monotony of the week.
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