Happy happy Monday!
If you missed my $100 Nordstrom Gift Card Giveaway from Friday, you can see it here. There is one more day for your chance to enter and win!
Well…today, is the first day of school.
Right now, my babies are in kindergarten and first grade (and I’m in the fetal position). I’m going to recap their first day tomorrow…but just know, my mama heart is both excited and sad right now. I’m excited because they both were ready and looking forward to this new school year…but I’m sad because I really love spending the day with my kiddos and I miss them when they’re not home.
The summer just went by too fast.Last night, when I was tucking my two big kids into bed, I started crying because y’all…it went by too quickly. I know there are a lot of young mamas out there with small kiddos at home and listen to me when I tell you…it is going to go by too fast. Stop what you’re doing, kiss those sweet babies and know that one day very soon, you’re going to wish you could be right back there again. If I could go back and have my one year old and infant again, I would in a heartbeat. I’m excited about this new chapter for Kensington and Smith but I’m sad too…because this last chapter was so sweet. Kiss your babies young mamas. Before you know it, they’ll be off in kindergarten too.
#pullittogethershaySigh.
Some vacation pics for your Monday :).
Day 9
Well, we woke up on Day 9, drove to the Geneva Airport, returned our rental car and flew to Paris. Oui, oui!
The first stop we made after arriving in Paris was the Eiffel Towel (of course!). All three of my kids were super pumped about this! Here we are standing underneath it :).
A few things that I feel should be noted about the Eiffel Tower. This was our first time to take kiddos up there, so we didn’t know what the protocol/etiquette was for strollers. I would say that typically, there is a place to put strollers when you do things like this…but unfortunately for us, the Eiffel Tower was not such a place. We should have left them in the hotel room…but…we didn’t know that, so after standing in line for one hour and five minutes, we were asked to fold them and go up. Two parents, three kids and two folded strollers up on the Eiffel Tower. Boo. (Side note, strollers were our saving grace at The Louvre…see below for that.) We had the best time up there…but if I would have known there wasn’t a place for strollers, I would have left them in the hotel. During our wait in line, Ashby napped :).
Well look at us up on the second deck of the Eiffel Tower :). (We opened a stroller for Ashby to sit a minute while we looked.) We were there in the evening (we got in line a little before 5:00 and then stayed until after 8:00.)
On the Eiffel Tower wearing her Eiffel Tower earrings :). She’s been wearing these earrings for several months now, so it was fun to actually be on the tower wearing them. (They’re from Stella & Dot, you can see them here.)
We made it to the very top!
In the Eiffel Tower gift store buying a little Eiffel Tower to take home.
That was Day 9…traveling to Paris and seeing the Eiffel Tower :).
Day 10
This is how our morning started :). Three dressed kids watching some cartoons before heading out.
Yes, please. Anything pastry-like first thing in the morning along with coffee. My peeps were getting us the good stuff.
Hey there Notre Dame! We visited first thing in the morning.
After Notre Dame, we headed up to Monmartre for lunch and to get a painting or two. The kids each picked out an Eiffel Tower painting for their rooms and then had their picture taken with the artist. They talked about this part for the rest of the trip! They are so proud of their little pieces of art.
Ashby wanted her own picture with the sweet artist :).
Five Nutella Crepes please. #wedontsharecrepes #noway #justsogood
Curb sittin’ and crepe eatin’ with my favorite big kids.
All Kensington wanted from Paris was a beret…a pink one just like Grace (her American Girl doll). She was pumped with this one!
We wrapped up Monmartre and then headed to the Arc de Triomphe before dinner.
And then we ate dinner with a spectacular view. Just a girl and her Eiffel Tower.
Day 11
So, in Switzerland we rented a car but in Paris…we walked everywhere :).
On the first day, we used the Metro (subway system) one time from our hotel to the Eiffel Tower and that was it. After we saw the Eiffel Tower, we walked back and decided that would be our mode of transportation…our feet. We just felt like we missed too much in the subway, so we walked A LOT! A few times, we took a cab (like to Versailles) but it was almost always just walking (which helped me justify the two crepes a day…).
Speaking of Versailles…
Oy. This day was not our favorite. I mean…I hate to say that, but keepin’ it real, one day has to be your least favorite, right?! The problem was…we tried visiting Versailles in August (our mistake!). The other times I have been to Versailles, the wait to get inside was like 15 minutes…on this day, we waited OVER TWO HOURS. Uggggggg. The line to get tickets was super short…but the wait to actually get inside looked like this…
…there were 10 rows of people all the way across. Our whole day was dedicated to Versailles, so we waited.
Thumb wrestling helped to pass the time :). We also worked on learning the 50 States. Do you know the song Fifty Nifty United States? Well, I learned it in the 3rd grade and now (thanks to this long wait), my kids are getting the hang of it too. #desperatetimes
The wait to get into Versailles wasn’t the worst part…it was how many people were inside there once you were let in. This is us waiting to get into one room. I mean…it was ridiculous. You couldn’t see anything and were just pushed from one room to the next (literally pushed by the crowds). At one point, sweet Smith said he just wanted to be able to stand still and look…but you couldn’t stand still because the masses were pushing you forward.
We found a brief moment of non-pushing and took a pic :).
We made the most of our day but when we left and headed to dinner, I think everyone was relieved.
Hey there cuties!
On our walk to dinner, we saw that famous tower in the background and decided to take a picture. Ashby had a costume change because she spilled something on her dress ;). I think red might be her color!
The restaurant passed out these silly glasses to my kids. They were excited!
And then we finished off our day with…a crepe by the Eiffel Tower.
A picture walking back to the hotel. Pretty much every time we saw the Eiffel Tower, we felt the need to take a picture :).
Day 12
So our trip to The Louvre on Day 12 was MUCH better than the day before!! We showed up that morning and…saw a long line. However, as soon as we got in the back of the line, a nice Louvre employee walked up to us and said we could go right in because we had strollers.
What?
Excuse me?
We get to cut because we have strollers? What? Yes!!!! There was an American guy standing in front of us who turned around and said he would pay me a million bucks for one of my strollers. #tempting
Apparently, if you have a stroller at The Louvre, you not only get to go right in, but you get to use private elevators located throughout. We would be walking from one room to the next and Louvre employees would stop us and ask if we needed directions to the nearest private elevator…and then when we got there, another employee would open it for us. Who knew????? It was awesome!
My kiddos loved their audio guides and we spent all day checking everything out!
This face. I would look down and see her looking up asking for a kiss. Goodness! This girl knows exactly how to MELT MY HEART!
The A/C provided us with some entertainment too :).
There she is…the Mona Lisa :).
Such a successful day touring The Louvre!! Eiffel Tower, no stroller…The Louvre, YES, stroller!
Whew. Those were days 9 through 12! To see days 13 & 14, click here.
To see Days 1-3, click here.
Days 4 & 5, click here.
Days 6-8, click here.
I’m off to make my kiddos some Butterscotch Maple No Bake Cookies for after their first day of school (their request).
And don’t forget, it’s Meal Planning Monday…
…click here to see my five simple suppers for your week!
xoxo
Not A Mom says
I have to say that I truly got the feels when seeing the picture of Kensington looking at the Eiffel tower. As a young girl growing up I had such a desire to travel and see everything so it is such a goosebumps moment to know she is able to at such a young age! She'll always be thankful to you guys for taking them on such neat adventures! Love seeing your vacation pics!
Linds @ Not A Mom
kimm atwood says
Hope Kensington and smith have a great day
Erika Slaughter says
Shay, those Eiffel Tower pictures are so good…all of them! In the first pic, I thought you were wearing some kind of studded suspenders? Later figured out it was your purse! #iwasconcerned
Narci says
So interesting!! I love all of the vacation pictures!! Also, K's beret is fabulous!! 🙂
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
Several things: 1) The last pic on Day 11 is AWESOME. Seriously, canvas worthy. 2) Kensington looks like a ballerina on top of a jewelry box in the pic on top of the AC vent! 3) My mind keeps playing tricks on me with some of your pictures. So I was coming to say that in the first picture I thought Ashby's white bow was some sort of ascot that you were wearing. I was like "Oh my, Shay is really immersing herself into the culture and wanting to look French!" I figured it out, but when I just read that Erika thought you were wearing studded suspenders, I laughed out loud!
kelsey @ so much life to live says
I am LOVING these vacation pics!! I just went to Paris last month, and it almost makes me cry to see these…I want to go back soooo badly!
Happy Monday 🙂
kelly says
I agree with Schaeffer abt the fam pic! You guys are such a beautiful family! And Kensington with that beret is just stunning! Andrew must have long arms cause he managed to take great pics even though you didn't have a selfie stick!!
jthmas says
I would love to visit Paris one day, thanks for sharing! We got the royal treatment at the Biltmore when we went a few years ago. We also got to use the private original elevators. I LOVE it when places like that treat families as if they are special instead of an inconvenience. Have a great day!
Tracy says
Love your vacation posts. Kensington looks just like an American Girl doll in her cute little beret. 🙂
Angie says
Your mother's heart is so sweet!! I think every mother goes through wishing her children were little again. Young mothers with young children are so busy just trying to get through the day that they don't always stop and savor every moment. I think that is why we get the opportunity to be grandparents. We have more time and we make more of every opportunity with grandkids (I don't personally know this yet, just an observation 🙂 ). My daughters are 26 and 21. The oldest is getting married on October 10th. It's a bittersweet time. I can remember her first day of Kindergarten and now she's about to marry the love of her life. It's tough on a mother's heart to watch your kiddos growing up, but it is also SO rewarding. 🙂
Lindsay says
Shay, I was wondering what type of shoes you wore for the days with long stretches of walking. Would you recommend them?
Leigh G. says
I also would like to know! I'm going to Ireland later this year and don't want ugly tennis shoes to be in all my pictures. Those gray slip-ons look perfect!
Julsb509 says
I went to Paris this summer too and had the same horrible experience at Versailles. I couldn't event enjoy it because there were so many people pushing and shoving inside. I can't imagine how you made it with your kiddos! Enjoying all the pics of your beautiful vacation though!!
sfitzg2 says
Same here! We went in May and it was crazy!!! The gardens are beautiful, and not crowded.
Angela Ellingson says
What an incredible trip! Loved seeing sweet Kensington in Paris. What a doll. Glad you had such a great time. And good notes about the strollers. 🙂
Olivia W says
Hi Shay! I have been reading your blog for a while, I was just in Paris from the 4th to 9th and I had the same experience with Versailles. We had a tour so we didn't have to wait in line but I did not enjoy being inside at all because there were so many people and I could barely look at anything without someone pushing me! Such a bummer! Looking at your pictures makes me want to go back especially with my family one day!
thebusybrunette says
I love, love, love your vacation pics! Looks like you had the best time. I traveled to France when I was in high school and remember going to the top of the Eiffel Tower, too. I really want to go back there one day. Not just for the Eiffel Tower, of course. Mostly for the Nutella crepes. Ha – just kidding. There are so many beautiful things to see. I'm glad you had a wonderful trip.
My little guy starts kindergarten next week. He's an only child, so I'm sure there will be tears on my end.
Hope their first day goes smoothly. Can't wait to hear about it!
The Busy Brunette
http://thebusybrunette.blogspot.com
shellybell says
I couldn't agree more with "enjoy this time because it flies by"!!! This is my last week of driving my crew of 5 to school! My oldest will get his license (fingers crossed he passes!!) next week and will take over my morning duties…YIKES! Where has the time gone??? 16 years, really??? I am trying to enjoy all of the little talks we have while I am still the chauffeur! As much as I get worn out of driving here and driving there, I cannot believe he is this old! Now, a new worry of him behind the wheel and more prayers will be sent up each time he pulls away. Hope the 1st day of school was a success!
Tanya says
First of all – great advice to all the mom's of young kids out there. I blinked and now mine are both in jr. high. Love all the Paris pictures. That's so disappointing about Versailles, but I guess you're right…there has to be a least favorite day. We also took the Metro subway for one day, and then switched to walking and also buses. It was so much nicer to see Paris instead of crowded subways. Hope they have a great first day!
KRISTIN TATE says
Ascot and studded suspenders, y'all tickle me! It's so good you have friends who will let a sister know when she is committing a fashion "no no."
Misty Colton says
You think you are sad! My oldest started her sophomore year today! This is my last year of getting her to school or arranging transportation for her. She will be driving herself next year! My heart hurts just typing that!
I am sure your babies will have the best day! The good news is this will give you some precious bonding time (one on one) with Miss A!
Three Gals and a Guy says
Shay-
ABSOLUTELY LOVE the pics of you guys under the Eiffel Tower! How awesome is that?! What a truly amazing gift of traveling you are providing for your kiddos! As always, thanks for sharing!!
Kimberly says
The only thing better than crepes in Switzerland are crepes in France 🙂 Kensington's beret is darling. I recently spent just under two months in Paris and had the best time exploring the city. I agree with your assessment of walking vs the Metro – there are just too many great things to see above ground 🙂
Kimberly
Very European
Lynn {A Taste of Country} says
Lol I had the same concerns about your first outfit as Erika and Sheaffer! Loved seeing your pics though..what precious memories with your family! And the a/c pic of Kensington's dress cracked me up 🙂
{Hi Sugarplum!} says
Aw, Paris…always a great idea. And I love that you each got your own crepes…really nothing better than devouring a piping hot nutella crepe on the streets of Paris. Thanks for the travel bug!!!!
Rebecca Jo says
Your family is just precious.
I love the pink beret with the Eiffel Tower earrings – what a girl with a French heart 🙂
That's ridiculous to have places that crowded & jam packed- I'd be keeping my eyes on exits for emergencies – yikes!
Mona Lisa – gets all the eyes on her.
Kelsey @ The Peacock Roost says
Love this post! I can only imagine how much Kensington was loving Paris! How perfect that she had matching earrings & found a pink beret 🙂 I bet she was in her element! Sounds like you all had a great time in Paris and I agree with Sheaffer, your last day 11 picture is amazing!!!
Kelsey
http://www.thepeacockroost.com
Leigh Clark says
Erika's comment about the studded suspenders….same thought here!!! Beautiful pictures. Kensington looks to place the part of a Paris native very well!!
Dawn says
My son started kindergarten last week and I have been a wreck over it! Just broken hearted…time does fly by with these little ones. I found myself gawking at all the moms and babies in Target, thinking they are so lucky to have their babies with them. ? Hope they have a wonderful first day! Sending hugs to you!! ?
Rebecca says
Love this post bc Paris & we took our kiddos for their first trip abroad last summer to London, then Paris for my 40th birthday! I loved seeing your fam in the same places as we took pictures too! In fact, our Christmas card pic was on the bridge in front of La Tour Eiffel, probably the same spot as your pic! And, yes, I took pics from many angles of la tour every time we passed by, several times a day, bc we walked everywhere too! My son & I had two Nutella crepes daily as well! I kept telling him about them & he loves them as much as I do! They are c'est magnifique! So glad you have a wonderful trip, ours was too! It's the best city to walk around in & explore!
Kaitlin Oglesby says
Poor kiddos at Versailles! It was just as bad in April as it was in August. The Lourve is pretty awesome. We got there as soon as it opened, and were lucky to get to see the Mona Lisa without many other people in there. I'm so glad sweet Kensington enjoyed it so much, and that she got her beret!! Did y'all get to go to the Pont des Arts? It was so close to the Lourve! We got the Paris museum passes, and they were invaluable. We hardly ever had to stand in line. Glad y'all had such a fun trip!
Andrea says
This post is super helpful! I was wondering how you dealt with jet lag with the kids, we've been putting off Europe because of this and my girls are similar ages to your girls. And also, last time I did Paris I feel like I did not see much of the Eiffel Tower, we were at the Marais which is not close, but I see that you did get a lot of Eiffel tower views, so I was wondering which neighborhood did you stay at?
live compassionately says
What a fun trip! That's awesome that you had such a great experience at the Louvre! Also I am dying at the comments about thinking you had on an ascot tie and studded suspenders – too funny!
Katie at Better Off Benedict says
Paris is my favorite. I love that you travel with your kiddos! They seem to do very well!
LLotusphuong says
You guys take the best selfies, especially with three kids!
Laura says
I love that you discovered the stroller secret at the Louvre. The same thing happened for us when we travelled with our then thirteen month old. The line was so long we knew she would never last in it so we gave up but then saw that we could walk right in with the stroller. Best travelling with a kid moment ever! Looks like you guys had an awesome trip!
Leigh says
I love all these pictures! So gorgeous! I want to go to Paris so much. I'm so glad you get to travel like you do with your kids. Those will be such great memories for all. My oldest is 4 so he'll start school next year and I tear up thinking about it. I'm not ready. I know the 50 States Song. I learned it in elementary school like you and it really sticks with you. Do you remember the episode of Friends where Chandler challenged everyone to list the states? After that episode aired my friends decided that would be fun. I won and that's how everyone found out about my "secret" 50 states song.
Brooke @ A Retherford Realization says
So I have a silly question… I always see you wearing jewelry and accessorizing on your trips and I'm wondering how you pack all of that stuff with you? Mine always comes out in a tangled mess!
Aubrey says
I'm pretty sure I wrote a blog post about the Eiffel Tower and strollers way back in 2010. You don't remember it?? I'm shocked. 😉 Loved K's earrings and a/c shenanigans. And A's kissy face…adorbs. Smith is looking studly in Paris, per the ushe. Ah, Paris. It's the one city on earth I would pack up and visit any day of the year. After too many visits to count, I never get enough!
Natalie Seuell says
Such a fun family trip! I would love to see a post about how you packed for yourself and the kids…?
court says
Love this vacation post! We want to take our 3 kids to Paris next year and your post gets me really excited about it. Do you mind sharing where you stayed? It seems like a great location if you were able to walk everywhere and kept passing the Eiffel Tower.
Queen In Between says
Ok…first of all your girl in her beret!!! Oh my goodness it's like she was born to wear one. She looks precious. I am loving all your picks from the bottom angle too! Such a fun trip
AMla says
Just returned from moving our son into his first dorm 17 hours away!!! Kindergarten times one hundred 🙂 Cherish every moment with your precious babies it really does go by in a blink of an eye!
Maryellen says
Enjoying all your trip photos. Kensington in that hat has to be the most darling thing.
Sarah Kuykendall says
You look beautiful in every photo!! What an amazing trip and awesome memories!
Fancy Ashley says
This looks like the most ahhhhmazing trip! Your kids seem like such great travelers! Love K's pink beret! Hope they had the best first day! XO!
Kjlb37 says
Loving all the trip pics! What wonderful memories you are making for your kids. Note to self: borrow young child (shouldn't be too hard, I have 8 grandchildren:) and stroller when visiting the Lourve but leave them home when visiting the Eiffel Tower:) Good to know!
Jaren says
This is turning out to be my dream vacation! My daughter and I have been reading the American Girl Grace book and about how she travels to Paris. I couldn't wait to show her your post today and Kensington's cute beret! What an amazing trip!!
Dana says
Okay, I am dying over the comments about the ascot tie and suspenders. #Iwasconcerned just about killed me! So sorry that Versailles didn't work out. We pass it every Sunday on our way to our church and I always want to yell to all the tourists during the summer, "Stop!! This will be your worst nightmare!" We did it like that one time and will never again. When the crowds are thinned out, it's nice. Did you make it to the gardens? I prefer those and they never get crazy populated like that. The same thing happened to us at the Louvre with the stroller going to the special line, isn't it great? Another little secret is that you always go to the front of the line if you're pregnant, too. I have never been treated so well as being pregnant in France (well, maybe it needs to be actual French people…I'm not sure if international tourists would honor pregnancy like they do). It's like a golden ticket to never have to wait in line. They will even sometimes bring you a chair if you do have to wait. Maybe you should try it? 🙂
Jen Cho says
Love reading your vacay pix! Thanks for sharing.
Emily Z. says
I just realized I was at Versailles a few days before you were! The line to get in and the tons of pushy tourists almost ruined it for us, too. 🙁 Looks like the rest of your trip was pretty amazing, though! My husband and I are newly married and just got back from our first trip to Europe, and I so hope we can take our kids back with us someday! What a treat!
Caitlyn Olson says
My favorite thing about "Back to School" time is that Fall is so close!! Fall is absolutely my favorite season of the year! Pumpkin, everything, please! 😉
LeeAnn says
Such great pictures! I always enjoy reading your blog 🙂
Beautifully Seaside // Formerly Chic Coastal Living says
Love the pictures! You had the best vacation!
Juliegab22 says
Could you share what hotel you stayed at in Paris? Heading there in about 6 weeks and looking for a place that is walkable! Thanks