Emma and I were driving to pick up Mason before gymnastics last week.  While driving she had a lot of questions about where Mason went to school.  Amidst this discussion I asked her if she wanted to go to Mason’s school.  (I feel like I should do this every once in awhile to make sure that I’m doing the right thing by her.  It’s like trying celery every once in awhile for me…do I still hate it?  Yep!  So, upon talking about Mason’s school and asking if she wanted to go there this was her reply.

No, Mom.  I go to a real school.

And there you have it, friends.  Does anyone need anymore convincing?  Certainly not me! She’s definitely a smart cookie, and no one will tell us otherwise.

On a side note, please check out my newest cards in the Paris Collection!  I am in love.  And I’m also working on a new product that will be perfect for the upcoming holiday season!

Click on the picture above to go straight to my Etsy store!

Have you started shopping for the holidays yet? Not me!

I feel like I gush about Paris all the time.  But actually, I really don’t think I do.  I think that I think about it all the time.  I miss it.  I’m not sure what, exactly, it is, but I just LOVE Paris.  I typically love any big cities, though, and the older the better.  I wanted to live in Europe when I graduated college.  In fact,  I had started looking into teaching over there on a military base.  That’s how much I love Europe.

When I went to Paris this summer, it was the first time being back in Europe since 2001.  Did I have an amazing time!  If I didn’t have kids or a husband, I could totally live there.  I didn’t really need to come back at all!  I loved the beauty.  I loved the simplicity.  I loved the metro.  Wait, what? Yes, I LOVED the metro!  I loved walking everywhere….the food…the drinks…the slightly bitchy attitude that I’m pretty sure I could (can) pull off to a T.

So in missing Paris, I look back at my pictures a lot.  And some of these pictures, the really good ones, start coming out of the wood work.  Disclaimer and slight diversion: I didn’t take any pictures with the intent of creating note cards with them.  I didn’t take time to set up the shot, make sure the lighting was just right, or any of that.  I just took the picture to capture the moment.  Upon looking back, I took some really good shots!  And I’m not saying this to pretend I’m some natural photographer.  I think I just got lucky.  I wasn’t in Paris with visions of an Etsy shop in the back of my mind.

This is just a long way of saying that I have new cards up in my Etsy shop!  I have 2 new cards to add to the Paris collection.  The Eiffel Tower shot was taken atop the Arc d’Triomphe on a rainy day.  A little cropping and the adding of the BW effect, I think it creates the Old World charm of Paris.  When I look at that picture, it’s not obvious to me that it was taken in 2011.  It could’ve been taken in 1950.  Or 1890 (if that’s even possible).  I absolutely love it.  The second picture is of the Winged Victory of Samothrace, which stands proudly in the Louvre Musee.  I really liked this one.  A lot!  A little tweaking of the colors and I’m really happy with how she turned out!

Both are now available on my Etsy Shop.  Won’t you please take a peek?

Where’s a place you’d like to visit again? Or live?

I wish I could fill you in on my projects.  I’m not good at keeping secrets!  On the other hand, I want to make sure that everything is just right before the unveiling.  Plus, I’m dealing with some slow(er) vendors who are kind of holding up everything.  Not that I don’t have other things to do.  But you know when you’ve started something, and you just want to get it finished and show it off?  That’s where I’m at.

Today I’m jamming out to Pandora on the computer and getting shtuff** done.  Like cleaning the desk.  Organizing Emma’s school documentation (eek!).  Ordering shtuff. Writing shtuff.  Oh, and installing (I use the term installing loosely as it really was “plug n play”) an external hard drive so I don’t have the mishap of losing all of my iPhoto pictures.  All of them.  This was not a joking matter.  Called Brett in tears.  Couldn’t find them.  Had to shut off the computer and focus on getting to the pool with my girls.  But seriously, this almost pushed me over the edge.  The next day, a nice lady at Apple walked me through the process of finding them again.  They’re in a folder called “All Images”.  And the title is as literal as you can imagine.  ALL images.  Like banners from emails, icons and logos from emails and websites, any pictures anyone has ever sent me.  Oh yeah, and all of my pictures from 2005.  In no particular order.  All in all, 26,000 images in this one folder.  That I get to sort through.  Yeah, because I have that kind of time in my life.  But actually, I have to make the time.  Because if I don’t, then it screws up afore mentioned project.  I digress.

Right now I’m missing Paris.  I’ve been back a month and so much shtuff has happened in a month.  It doesn’t even feel like I went to Paris.  Isn’t that sad?  I get home and <BAM> real life is back.  You know, meetings, surgeries, new schools, new year, stresses.  Could I really have gotten through all this in a month?  Wow…as I look at back at all these posts, no wonder Paris feels like a dream!  Well, because I’m missing that city, and because I really haven’t posted pictures of our trip, here you go.  There might be 2 posts worth of pictures.  I took over 400 pictures, plus we’re all making CD’s for each other.  Glad I have the memories!!  And goals to get back there.

That there's the Eiffel Tower behind me, Kim, and Libby!

Paris Partners in Monet's Garden at Giverny.

And that there's the Palace of Versailles. Think of it as a big house.

And the quaint back yard of Versailles. Just enough room for the kids to play, really.

About to enter Disneyland Paris. Dude, don't judge. I know what you're thinking. It was very cool, thankyouverymuch.

Me and my German brother, Dirk. We had the greatest last day with him and his girlfriend. 11 years had passed, but it was like no time had passed. Test of a good friendship! (plate of oysters on the half-shell, if you were wondering!)

Kim and I CLIMBED up the Eiffel Tower at 11:30 one night. How many people can say they've done that!! So much fun!

Catacombs = Creepy + Claustrophobic

**Shtuff is a nicer way of saying crap or another, more colorful word.  I try to keep it clean on here.

What place would you like to visit again?

I got home Sunday evening.  It was so good to be home and see the faces of my sweet children.  And my husband.  I missed them all!  Monday morning started early as I woke up around 4:30.  I knew this would happen.  It’s been awhile since I last traveled to Europe, but I didn’t forget about the jet lag that ensues!  Fortunately for me, I woke up feeling a little motivated to get some stuff done.  Consider that “stuff” laundry and unpacking shtuff.  Check!

I’ve downloaded some of my 500+ pictures.  They turned out great!  And when I combine those with the pictures of my mom, aunt, and cousin, we will have a well-rounded album of our trip!

On my agenda this week: grocery shopping (done), visit by the alarm guy Chris, 1 new tutoring client who wants a heavy dose of math (yay!), another tutoring client, coffee with my girls, and training.  That last one is gonna hurt.  Bad.

Monday we have our placement meeting for Emma.  That’s Monday, August 25th.  As in 2 weeks before school starts and one day before Emma’s surgery.  Um, stressful?  Yeah, a bit.  But we’re prepared to win, and so therefore we will.  Will not entertain any other thoughts.

Have I mentioned Emma’s surgery much?  I don’t think so, but I can remember (on account of the jet lag, of course).  Anyway, it’s her hip reconstruction on Tuesday morning first thing.  We’ll be in the hospital 2-3 nights.  The hardest part will be Emma in a wheelchair for 6-8 weeks.  Non-weight bearing.  Ugh.  At least we won’t be missing anything fun outside as it’s a billion degrees with a thousand percent humidity.  Slight exaggeration.

I hear my daughter being ornery with her brother so I’m wrapping this up.  I promise more pictures, but here’s one to tide you over!

Monet's Garden at Giverny

As I write this, I am on a train headed to Disneyland Paris. Now, if you know me, this does not surprise you. I am a huge Disneyland fan! We’re on day 4 of our Paris trip and I am having a wonderful time. I’m seeing so many great things, and learning a great deal too:
- people here are skinny for a few reasons: they walk everywhere, there are tons of stairs, and their food is amazingly fresh. I have hardly eaten anything processed!
- I am independent. Give me a map to the city and I’ll go anywhere. I feel very safe here, and the metro system is easy to use. I could definitely live in a big city.
- the French have been very nice to us. The men are super nice, really. Very helpful. We have only encountered two unkind people. And they were women. Hmm
- macarons. I don’t even have the words to describe them. Wow.

Here are a few instagram photos I’ve taken so far. Enjoy!

On Thursday I head to Paris!  I am super excited, with a sprinkling of nervousness thrown in.  I’ve never been away from my kids this long.  And I’ve never been in a different country then them.  But I’ve got everything packed up, with the exception of my toiletries.  I’m going to be “sneaky” and stuff my purse in one carryon, and bring another carryon.  And then a big ‘ol suitcase that will be underpacked, so I can bring back fun souvenirs!

I had to email the district director today because she never did get back to me about setting up a meeting for tomorrow.  Tomorrow.  Well, childcare is no longer an option, so waiting until my return is what will happen now.  And, as it looks, it will be August before we actually meet, due to their vacations and Emma’s surgery.  Ugh.  Nothing like not knowing where your child will go to school.  Super-frustrating.  But now I don’t have this stress to take with my on my trip.

Anyway, back to my trip.  Yay! I will try to post while I’m there.  I’m hoping I can post pictures too.  I have the “gadgets”.  I’m just hoping the Wi-fi works in our apartment.  Our plans on day one?  The market and the Eiffel Tower!

Bon Voyage!

We have increased Emma’s dose for a second time just to make sure we’re getting the maximum potential out of the medication.  I am very specific in that I don’t want my daughter “drugged” or “numb” to anything.  I’ve seen that with other medications and it’s not fun.  But it is not out of the ordinary for me to want to “take the edge off”.  At her age, there are certain behaviors we should not be seeing right now.  I think the changes my daughter has made are night and day.  She’s polite, sweet, compassionate and cuddly.  Not that she wasn’t any of those before, but before it was more forced or reminded by us.  Now she does it willingly.  It’s the sweet little girl I always knew was in there.  I don’t know that we need to increase her dosage anymore.  She’s still on a relatively small dose.  But I don’t want to push the limits if I feel it’s not necessary.

Below: picture of Emma holding her little brother who is 3 days old.  Precious.

7-2-06

On another note, I leave for Paris in 4 days.  Eeek!!  I have a mix of emotions…excited, happy, nervous, anxious.  Butterflies in my tummy more and more.  I’ve never left my kids this long.  And I haven’t been out of the country since having kids.  But I keep at the forefront of my mind all of the wonderful experiences I’ll have.  And that creates excitement.  Last night I had a dream I slept all through the flight(s).  I wish.  Why haven’t they invented teleportation yet?  Since 14 hours on a plane is a must in order to get to our destination, I am thankful for these things: family to keep me occupied, iPad, Bose Quiet Comfort 15 headphones, books on iBook, Ambien, and Xanax. (the last two not to be mixed together, nor with the free alcohol I hear you get on international flights)

Some necessities for travel…thought I’d share.  Water bottle (see how cute it is?) if tap water is declared potable (Paris is). Large reusable bag, especially useful in Europe. Travel candle, Scentsy.  You never know how your accommodations will smell.  Laundry bag. Umbrella. Baby wipes, you just never know.  Learned that lesson in Russia. One nice pair of shoes to go with multiple outfits: hello Tory Burch! Hat.  To the right…rolled clothes…to save space.

Counting down while packing up!

Where’s the most exotic locale you’ve been to?

We had Emma’s pre-op appointment yesterday with the orthopaedic.  Dr. K is the “hip” doc and so that is who we see.  And we got so many of our questions answered.  And one super-great piece of information…Emma will be in the new tower!  Have you seen the new tower?  It’s beautiful!

This is the lobby:

And this is what a new (private) patient room looks like:

So are we looking forward to this?  In certain ways, yes.  This needs to happen.  Her hip needs to get fixed.  It’s obvious to the untrained eye.  The hospital stay will be nicer in a new room.  The recovery will be better because there will be no SPICA cast.  This is what Emma’s cast looked like when she had her first hip surgery at age 3:

Standing in the cast was frowned upon…but whaddaya gonna do?

This go around, I will be looking for a water therapist (anyone have any ideas with that?) to start therapy in the pool after week 3.  She’ll be in a wheelchair 6-8 weeks.  We will bling it out, no doubt.  And I got the clearance for roller coasters after week 12.  If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you know that every fall we see Dr. Borchert in L.A. for her eyes.  And this, of course, requires a trip to Disneyland.  It’s an annual girl thing.

So the plan is this.  Paris on Thursday (how do you say “woohoo” in French?).  1 week to recover upon coming home.  Just recovering from jet lag takes that long.  And I’m sure it won’t be any easier than it was 10 years ago.  One week after I return home we have the surgery.  And we’ll be buckled down in the nice cool house while it’s sweltering outside.  Could be worse, right?

I hope everyone had a good weekend and Father’s Day as well!  I think Brett got to do exactly what he wanted: a little of everything!  Relaxing, putzing in our yard, a trip to Home Depot AND Starbucks, and grilling.  I’m a little bummed because I got both he and my dad gifts for the grill from Sur La Table.  Both turned out to be broken.  I’ve never had this happen before, so I’m hoping it’s just a fluke.  But it’s not very fun to open up a broken gift!  And now I have to go back to the store to exchange.  The hardest part of that?  Just exchanging and not buying.  Seriously, that’s a dangerous store for us.  And I’m on the hunt for some cute straws.  I know, random.  But we were at a friend’s house last week and she had Mason jars for glasses.  Fun and inexpensive idea, and so cute with fun straws!

We’re on the countdown for Paris, too.  There are some things that need to get done before we head out.  First and foremost, get my a$$ in gear and lose a little extra padding.  I have some ideas.  And I just need to put them in motion.  One thing I’m doing with a friend is the Belly Fat Cure.  It’s sounds like a fad, I know.  But the philosophy rings true.  Limit the carbs you take in, and those carbs you do consume, make them whole grain and as unprocessed as possible.  Totally easier said than done for this carbo-holic!  But it’s definitely attainable.  And I need to get my blood pumping again.  My weekly training session is awesome, but it’s not enough (of course).  So, that’s what’s on the table.  Oh, and a haircut.  And a trip to H&M for leggings.  Need.  Perfect for an over-seas flight, don’t you think?  And lastly a trip to the Bose store.  A guy on my last flight let me try out his noise canceling headphones. Oh. My. Love. These will be perfect on the long flight so hopefully I look like this:

Lastest on the school situation.  It’s been kind of nice to not stress about meetings.  Tuesday the director of the district will visit the private school that we hope to place Emma in.  So I’m curious how that meeting goes.  We already know the director of the private school will do what she can to help Emma’s case.  Yay.  Positive thoughts, please, for Tuesday.  If you would.

Tomorrow I’ll give an update on Emma’s new medication.  The jury is still out.