Bonjour, Au Pair!

I could now properly be referred to as an au pair, because little old me is now in the lovely Paris! In fact, here's me right this very moment:

There I am, delicious coffee in hand, in the cozy flat on Rue Jacob. We will be here for the week (with the exception of when we head to Normandy for 2 days later this week)! Micky and Minnie bring the kids (and nanny) to Paris every Thanksgiving, just for a fun change of pace, and a wonderful trip. So this will be a very new Thanksgiving experience for me!

It is currently 11:15 AM- I think (knock on wood) that I successfully have conquered the jet-lag  Yesterday I would get hit with waves of sudden exhaustion, because I in essence pulled an all-nighter and landed here at local time of 7:00 AM, which meant it was a long day to face when I should have been sleeping! But I slept 11 hours last night,  so I feel like if that doesn't do the trick, nothing will!

So immediately upon my arrival, we came to the apartment to get settled and unpack. And then I had a nice rendezvous with my brother, sister-in-law, and their friend. Coincidentally, they were in Paris, and our visits overlapped by just that day! Nothing better than casual get-togethers in foreign countries! It was great to see them and I'm so glad it worked out. We had a nice day of brunching, walking, and sightseeing. We started off meeting at the duckpond at the Palace of Luxembourg.

Next up we went to a cute little restaurant which had full glass walls on two sides, so we could people watch while dining. Of course, I had to get something traditional- which today meant an herb omelette, with a delicious coffee!

Next up came our scenic walk- we stopped to snap pictures of Notre Dame

And saw the lock bridge- well actually, we saw two. Apparently married couples come and put their lock on the bridge, and if it stays on, then they will have a long happy marriage. I guess bad news if it comes off...But given that we didn't find any old locks, we aren't sure if it's a new tradition, or if they clear the locks, or what...Maybe I'll look into that later! (Below is Notre Dame from the back side with the lock Bridge) 

Micky and Minnie are off to find some peanut butter for the kiddies (we had an unfortunate run in last night with a no-sugar-added variety...), and then we will all be off for a day of exploring and adventure!

Until next time, 

Rachel 

Harper's Ferry

So last weekend Jack and Jill and I embarked on an adventure that led us into West Virginia- to Harper's Ferry, to be precise, for a day of picnic-ing, geocaching, and enjoying the old town. Harper's Ferry is kind of like a small Williamsburg- very key in the war, now preserved beautiful land, with historic buildings, home, churches, etc. It was a lot of fun. I would love to go back sometime just to walk around and enjoy the area. Driving to West Virginia on a beautiful fall day is quite a lovely trip! Sorry to be brief, but I must be off for the next adventure, details to follow shortly! Here are some pics of Harper's Ferry, so you can get a taste for yourself! Have a lovely weekend!!

With love, 

Rachel

Autumn is upon us!

I realize that this picture isn't my finest artistic display, but give me a break- moving at 60mph and trying to take a picture is quite the challenge!  

Anyhow, point is: fall is here! I love my drives through the crisp, colored, trees as I venture all around the DC region. I love sitting in front of the fireplace curled up with my cup of hot tea, and some old cancelled netflix drama. (Currently it's Life Unexpected- without fail, I cry every episode). And here we are in the depth of the season, nearing the holidays moment by moment.   This is my favorite time of year. We're in that middle time, the time of anticipation. Where all the rush of summer and the beginning of the school year has past. The time where everything has fallen into routine and become familiar and comfortable. The time where we enjoy every day and look forward to the soon coming season of family and friends. 

At least, that's how fall is for me right now. I'm comfortable and used to the routine, and enjoy getting the kids to school and activities. Enjoy learning not about what they do, but who they are. I enjoy every day of this fall, from the trick-or-treating, to the girl scout meetings, to the drop-in volleyball, to the gallivanting DC with a dear friend. I look forward to going to Paris next week, to seeing a new place, to having a week of adventure and new experiences. I look forward to going home in 5 weeks and seeing family. I look forward to snowfalls, sledding, Christmas lights, holiday shopping. And I simultaneously am excited by my day-to-day as well as what I see hovering in the future- EMBRACING.EVERY.MOMENT. 

Until next time, 
Rachel