i'm looking forward to hearing all about this trip.

Heading to Paris in May with two young children...looking forward to this report.

Mebe...Hello! I can hardly wait to read your trip report. I hope and it sure sounds like all is going well in your life. The boys are four years old, that is unbelievable, how times flies. Hugs to all of you.

I'm signing on to track what promises to be a lovely read.

Thanks Suzanne2 and nukesafe!

LoveItaly -- nice to "see" you! ((hugs))

Wekiva -- How fun! I should have this report done by then. I hope. How old are your kids?

Kristina, a frequent poster on Fodor's Europe and Asia board and trip report writer extraordinaire, kindly asked me to write something on her blog wired2theworld.com about how I prepared for this trip. Here's the link:

http://tinyurl.com/2fj69e2

Favorite links

Slow Travel
www.slowtravel.com

Ciao Bambino
www.ciaobambino.com

Delicious Baby
www.deliciousbaby.com

Insiders Map - National Geographic Traveler
http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2008/11/insiders-map/paris-interactive

Free Things to Do in Paris - National Geographic Traveler
http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2008/03/free-city/paris-text

Travel for Kids: Paris, France
http://www.travelforkids.com/Funtodo/France/pariscity/boisdeboulogne.htm

Ten Great Things to Do With Kids in Paris - David Lebovitz
http://www.davidlebovitz.com/archives/2009/04/ten_great_things_to_do_with_kids.html


Travel with Kids: 37 Things to Do in Paris, France with Kids
http://www.deliciousbaby.com/travel/france/paris/

Paris Museum Pass | Official Website
http://en.parismuseumpass.com/

Plan Interactif des transports en Ile-de-France
http://www.ratp.info/orienter/cv/carteidf.php?lang=uk

Apartment

http://tinyurl.com/2ba36le

After many days of scanning hundreds (at least it felt that many) apartments, we chose this one because of it's location. It's in the Palais Royal and on the gardens. We'd have a place for the kids to happily run at our doorstop, literally. The location also meant we could walk to the Louvre and Tuilleries Garden, and the Louvre/Rivoli Metro stop.

Other than a small issue with the kids running through the apartment like elephants which the diners at the restaurant beneath us didn't appreciate (I'll get to that later....) this was an ideal place to stay. The apartment was lovely, clean, included a computer with internet access and a washer and dryer, which we used almost nightly. The agency was a dream to work.

More to come, thanks for reading

Myra

Great beginning to your report! We stayed in the same building in the PVA 3-bedroom. I didn't realize any of the apartments were over the restaurant. Very funny. Can't wait to hear more.

mebe - already love the links you provided that I have just explored. We'll be travelling to Paris in March. I know we will find inspiration in your report.

tC

We stayed in that apartment as well....loved it! Can't wait to hear more.

Good morning!

This trip report may take a while to post, since I'm still a SAHM to three kids. And since I'm also posting on my blog, I not only have to edit my writing, but I also have to edit and sort through 1000's of pictures. Let's get to it!


Preparing our Kids (and Ourselves) for our Trip to Paris

A previous trip with our toddler showed us that traveling with children, while challenging, could still be fun and we were eager to do it again.

Then I got pregnant with twin boys. While overwhelmed raising a toddler and two demanding babies, I believed my days of international travel were over.

As they grew older, life got a little easier and my dreams of travel seemed possible again. Now that our DD (A)was 6 yrs and the boys (E and C) almost 4 yrs, we decided to take the plunge and booked five tickets for a ten day vacation in Paris.

While excited, I was also cautious about sharing our travel plans with family and friends, or even on online forums. I wasn’t sure how to respond to potential negative comments. Because I wasn’t so sure it was a great idea either. I still had moments of pure panic, wondering how we would manage herding three children through a bustling, international city.

But the tickets were booked, we put a deposit on an apartment, and -- despite my anxiety attacks -- there was no backing out. I spent months searching the internet for tips on traveling with kids to Paris. I also made frequent trips to the library, checking out kids books based in Paris to give the kids an idea of where we were going and what we’d see - to make those monumental sites like Notre Dame or Sacre Coure, more kid-friendly.

As the kids’ excitement grew, so did mine. They asked if crocodiles lived in the Seine River (umm…no), if we’d get to climb to the top of the Eiffel tower (yes!) and if we could go to the museums and see gigantic pictures of naked ladies (sure, why not?). To practice for their flight, they dragged our luggage through the house pretending they were at the airport, taking off their shoes to go through security, and boarding the couch for their flight to Paris.

My kids’ enthusiasm was infectious and my old confidence returned. When I finally told people where we were going, I answered their incredulous looks with a chuckle and a simple statement: it doesn’t make sense, does it? I guess we’re just crazy like that.

I finally felt ready to take my family into the world, there was only one question: was the world ready for my family?

Nice start Myra! Can't wait to read the rest.

great start - I can't wait to read more.

and I love the apartment - please can I move in tomorrow?

I was two years old for my first trip to France and I have photographs to prove that I was adorable the whole time.

Hi Mebe,

I'm so glad you are sharing this trip with us!

Looking forward to reading it all.

gruezi

Bookmarking for my reading pleasure later today!

Love this.. and will be making lots of notes. My kids are still too young but I'm thinking maybe in another year we'll be ready for our first trip abroad, as a family. Thank you!

This sounds better and better! I am particularly interested in your experience with kids in Europe, as I have mentioned before on this Forum, my Practice Wife and I did a similar thing many years ago with two boys 6 and 7, and twin girls, 4 years old.

I shared doubts similar to yours, but the end result of our trip was such that my advice to folks planning a trip through Europe without kids is, "Rent some!". Those kids were an "Open Sesame" to the hearts and homes of many people we would have never met, and adventures we would have never shared if we had not had them with us.

mebe...loving the start of your report! Looking forwar to the rest!

Well, obviously you have a fab sense of humor that must come in pretty handy when the going gets tough. Lucky kids. Looking forward to more!

Nukesafe -- yes, the kids were a great ice-breaker. We were greeted with nothing but warm smiles in Paris. Actually, it reminded me of how the Italians reacted to my 18 month old many years ago,which pleasantly surprised me.

sap -- a sense of humor is mandatory with twins. Or they'll eat you alive.

I thought I should go into more detail about the apartment.

Paris Apartment

My general impressions of the apartment: warm, cozy, light. While the windows were under the Palais Royal Arcade, meaning we didn’t have a view of the gardens, the apartment didn’t feel dark. The windows mimicked the shape of the arcade arches and our view was of the tree tops and of the arcade below. It also meant it was incredibly quiet. The only noise was from the restaurant setting up their outdoor tables, the sound of a woman’s heels clicking down the arcade and a few rowdy people on Friday and Saturday night (which was more comical than annoying).

We accessed the gardens through a back door on the ground floor. It reminded me of the entering the “Secret Garden." I’d slowly open the large door, say to the kids we’re opening the magic door …and voila! We are surrounded by open space, large fountains, and rows of trimmed trees -- a mini Parisian paradise at our doorstep.

The kitchen had enough pots, pans, cooking utensils,plates, and cups to host a small party. It was also equipped with a French press, electric tea kettle along with coffee and an assortment of tea. The dishwasher was handy as well as the washer and dryer, which worked wonderfully. And yes, they had an ample supply of soap for both.

The living area was cozy. The decorations were tasteful and the bookcase was full of books – in English. It ranged from guidebooks (including Fodor’s Paris with Kids) and other guides to shopping, eating museums in Paris. The TV wasn’t limited to French channels; we watched the news nightly on an English language French news station along with the BBCNews. Kids were delighted to the Disney channel, as were we. Quiet, still children are priceless.

There was also free Wifi and a laptop computer with internet access.

The master bedroom was large enough for a king sized bed. And the master bathroom had a walk-in shower that easily contained three raucous children. It was HUGE for what I consider a typical European bathroom.

I hope this helps anyone looking for an apartment in Paris.

Yes, it’s pricey (by my standards) but for my first trip to Paris, the experience was worth the expense.

Sorry about the mistakes in that post. Fodor's wouldn't let me preview, which as you can tell, I desperately need.

But if someone does have a book on how to eat museums, let me know.

Oh mebe, I always love your sense of humor and delightful personality. The apartment you rented sounds wonderful and I will enjoy looking at your websites this evening while enjoying my wine. "Quiet, still children are priceless", so true that!

P.S. As of yesterday afternoon I found the Preview button didn't work for me either. I haven't tried it today.

mebe, great posts. I think some of your links may even work to use for our first trip to paris taking a 16 year old teenager (but anyone who has other ideas please feel free to make recommendations). Think you had a bad link and meant slowtrav.com

thanks, Terry.

Thanks Terry -- I did mean slowtrav.com

I know they're sites with tips on traveling with teenagers; I'll see what I can find. Fodorite JuliaT had traveled to Paris with teens several times, perhaps she'll comment. Teens are a different breed, right?

First day of travel -- with pictures ! Here's the link:

http://tinyurl.com/245qpy4

I'm really enjoying your report and looking forward to the reaction to the gigantic paintings of naked ladies. Sounds like a good way to sell museum visits to young children; I never thought of that one, but then again I had daughters. I have to say though, that I wonder how they came up with that particular question to ask.

What a fun beginning to your report--love the photos of the kids on the plane.

can't wait to read more!

I don't know why people always worry about traveling with children. When I was little, I would tune into my parents' excitement about the trip and be just as excited as they were. Knowing that good behavior was a desirable trait for our parents, my brother and I were very stoic during boring moments and meteorological disappointments, among other things.

As the father of a 3-year old who's anxious to get back out there, I'm reading this will great interest.

As the father of a 3-year old who's anxious to get back out there, >>

is that you or the 3 year old who wants to get back out there, Brian?

Nikki

My kids -- including my daughter -- think naked bodies are hysterical. (Especially butts and what they do, but I won't go there. Yet.) While flipping through a book on Impressionist paintings, they saw naked ladies, squealed with delight and burst into fits of giggles.

I seized the moment and told them we could see those paintings "for real" in a place called a museum. After that, anytime I mentioned a museum, they mentioned the naked ladies.

Nudity is a great way to get kids interested in art.

We're taking our first big family trip in a while in just a couple of weeks (to Italy!). I have two teenaged girls and an 8 year old daughter. My youngest had to look up the word "dome" today for homework, and I mentioned that we would see lots of domes in Italy. After we talked architecture for a bit, she asked me what else we would see....remembering your post (and my daughter's continued fascination with bottoms), I said "large paintings with naked people." Her eyes went wide and I backtracked and starting talking cherubs. But I think she'll be quite keen when we hit the Vatican Museum.

ttrent -- that's hilarious! What about getting art books from the library so that she can see what you're talking about. Her idea of paintings of naked ladies might be much different then the some-what tame pictures she'll see.

BTW, the Pompideu center has an exhibit on naked ladies (parts, ahem ) that was an eye-opening experience for the whole family.

Working on new post, sorry it's taking me awhile.

Until then, cute picture of DS eating his first crepe:
http://tinyurl.com/2cbebje

Happy Friday!

But I think she'll be quite keen when we hit the Vatican Museum.>>

ttrent - did you know that there is a whole room in the Vatican museums full of what for lack of a better word I will call "willies"? all the bits that were lopped off in rather more prudish times were collected and now have a room to themselves!

you might want to consider whether you take your children into that one!

Annig, I now have something to entice the teenaged girls as well as my little one! Mebe, getting an art book to look through before we leave is a great idea. Look forward to hearing more about your trip!

great details!!!

can't wait to hear more! (and maybe this will inspire me to finish our tr from may)

The apartment looks fabulous!

I was in Musee Rodin one day and there was a school teacher there with her charges who looked to be about 6 years old and they were all sitting on the floor studiously copying a nude. I was so impressed that they weren't giggling etc which I know mine would have done.

Your report is great so far, I'm looking forward to reading the next installment.

annhig, when I heard that story, rather than about the Vatican Museum, it was about the British Museum in the Victorian Era, and I do think that is where that emanates, since the Brits were after all the inventors of prudery, and "willies" is an English usage.

travlerjan - I've seen it!

a room full of groins - literally.

we were agog.

Travelerjan, annhig comes by her English usages honestly.

Didn't know that room was on public display. Would have increased my husband's appreciation of the Vatican museums.

Must be off the beaten track.

Mebe, loved your photos and this is what I wrote:

Superb! Staying at a hotel with parking is inspired and your "readiness" activities with the kids obviously paid off.

The crepe photo is adorable.

Can't wait for the next installment!

nikki,

it's been a few years now, but from memory it was down past the etruscan vases.

did i say that it took us 6 hours to tour the vatican museums? [not deliberately, we got lost].

we did the egyptian room twice!

Tdudette -- thanks for the comment on my blog

I love how a trip report about children is now about naked ladies and "willies". Gotta love Fodor's.

mebe - for my part in reducing your thread to the lowest common denominator - mea culpa.

Annhig -- no worries!

(working away on the next installment...)

~M

Finally! Sorry for the delay. I've been busy with holiday crafts and my new obsession: learning to crochet.

First Day in Paris
(with lots of pictures!)

http://tinyurl.com/2uonlgn

Super first day! Happy Holidays.

Nice work mebe. Lots of interesting pics.

tC

Great report. Your kids are adorable. I can't wait to read more.

Very nice pictures, thanks.

Great, fun report!

I'm really loving your report. You have a great sense of humour and enthusiasm, 2 essentials for traveling, especially with kids.

We hope to take our grandson to Paris in 2012 (he'll be 8) so I am reading your report with great interest and anxiously waiting for more!

Jo

Thanks for sharing your story and pictures! I am eagerly awaiting more.

Thanks everyone!

I've been distracted lately.We're having a holiday craft and baking bonanza at my house.

Next post will done by Monday - swear it!

Until then, a sneak peek....

http://tinyurl.com/26lwe3d

mebe, what a great report. I followed 'live' your two other trip reports and cannot believe how big your kids are!!! They are just adorable.

Love your wit and humor. Please, keep it coming.

Love your blog! We are heading to Paris in April with two wee ones (newly 2 and almost 5) so I am looking forward to reading about the rest of your trip!

Thanks Marigross and jonesie!

Now that the holidays are over and life feels almost normal again, I can concentrate on this trip report. Thanks for hanging in there with me.

What surprised me the most about taking the kids on this trip was homesickness. I had researched how to fly with children, how to take kids into museums, and riding the metro. But nowhere did I read about how to deal with kids who just wanted to sleep in their own beds and play with their own toys.

When my daughter started to cry and asked to go home - I was stunned. Was I the only Mom to experience this? Where did I go wrong? How could I fix this problem?

And that is how we began our second day in Paris. How could we make this day so cool, the kids would forget about home.

Did we succeed? You'll have to read to find out.

Birds, Buses and Homesickness: Our Second Day in Paris
http://tinyurl.com/49vu589

Hi mebe,

Looking forward to a nice diversion from life in the real world.

Tell us all about Paris and your little darlings please!

gruezi

mebe,

Loved the photos and admit to being underwhelmed in a few important churches myself...

BTW, a million years ago, a woman I worked for and respected said that the first thing she did whenever she got to a new city was to take the double decker bus ride to orient herself. I have done this many, many times since she shared this advice and find it a good first afternoon in a new city. Ada and I could travel well together at least for a few hours!

gruezi

Can't wait to read about day 3!

gruezi - what I love most about traveling with children, is that I end up doing things I wouldn't otherwise do. Such as, a hop-on/off bus. I agree - it's an easy way to get the layout of a new city. And Ada is still talking about it.

Thanks lowcountryIslander. I'm working on Day 3 now. It was a doozy.

Really enjoying the continuing saga of this family trip!

Hi, mebe. Really enjoying your report and photos.

Your telling of going out to the store brought back such wonderful memories of time spent one-on-one with my youngest (young adult) in Paris. We had gone out lugging a huge suitcase to the nearest laundromat.

It turned into quite the adventure as it was several blocks away and not easy to find, and then while we waited for the clothes to finish, we sat across the street at an outside an
pizzeria having great pizza, a beer and a wine, and enjoying each others company.

We also shared the "quiet" conspiracy...we couldn't let on to DH and DS#1, who were at the hotel starving when we got back, that we really were no longer hungry, so off to dinner we went, and boy, were we stuffed!

Enjoyed day 2 and your photos. I'm not a parent and DH left scheduling to me, so don't have any idea what I'd do with someone more childish than I!

Come on, day 3!

Thanks ellenem!

Klondiketoo - cute story. I think you deserved that pizza and beer if you're doing the laundry!

TDudette - the childish part is okay, until the whining begins. That's more obnoxious than a tantrum! Who knew a 6yo could me more of a pain than a toddler.

Love your reports and especially the image of you pretending to be in the airport with your kids in the house! Great idea!

mebe,
I'm enjoying your report so much and I'm waiting eagerly for day 3!
I really appreciate your good humor and your sharing of both the good and the not-so-pleasant times. And your pictures are great- your family is just adorable!

My husband and I are hoping to take our grandkids to Paris, and I'm finding your report helpful for planning things they'll enjoy as well as for anticipating pitfalls.

The part about homesickness was really interesting. I'd considered the possibility that the grandkids might get homesick, but I'd never thought about the possibility of that they might get homesick even with their parents! I think there must be a degree of culture shock even for young kids.

Thanks for sharing your report!

Hi Marcy

I'm glad you're enjoying my report, even though I'm including the not-so-pretty parts of traveling with kids.

Homesickness baffled me because I didn't hear other parents write about it. And for the first few days, I took it personally, as if I was doing something wrong as a parent.

And I wish I had a "cure" for it to recommend, but I don't. At least you'll know that if your grand kids start missing home, you're not the only one.

~M

My third day in Paris, Part 1.

-- promises made after too much wine
-- L'Orangerie Muesum
-- a knock on the apartment door...

My Date with Monet

http://www.restlesstoroam.com/2011/01/19/my-date-with-monet/

ooh, mebe, that knocked the gilt off the gingerbread!

if the owners take bookings for children, surely they must know that children run up and down?

looking forward to finding out more!

Thank you for sharing your candid and wonderfully written adventures. As a parent about to cart my children to Europe for the first time (April), I will keep reminding myself to be prepared to toss my own agenda if we hit some wall - realistically, kids just like adults, have their good moments and not so good. I know we'll respond better as parents when we're mentally and otherwise prepared for it. . . looking forward to reading more of your adventure.

annhig -- yes the agency did know we had three children and their ages. Plus, I read reviews from other parents who stayed with the agency, so I knew they were used to children. But my mind still goes a bit berserk when worried.

michele - traveling with kids is like being a parent at home, just a bit more intense, since you're out of your normal surroundings. Most importantly - despite all the hardships, disappointments - we can say we would do it all again. Well worth the work! My kids constantly talk about the trip and remember funny stories that I had forgotten.

Thanks for reading. Working on Part 2 now; will hopefully be done in a few days

~M

It was still our third day in Paris. My mood had traveled from elation after seeing Monet’s Waterlilies alone, to despair once I returned home and heard about the knock on the apartment door. After getting the kids outside to play in the rain, Aaron and I came up with a plan: exhaust the kids. Our first stop was the Louvre....

The rest of the story (with pictures!) is here:

Museum Mayhem: Taking the Kids to the Louvre

http://tinyurl.com/468w6gw

You may be shocked, but it actually has a happy ending. Thanks for reading. More coming soon!

~Myra

More soon please. I wrote a message on your personal website.

What an eyeopener and I am a little exhausted just reading this LOL. Kudos to you for pulling this off and what wonderful memories.
That's a beautiful apartment and I love the location!

My children are now 20 and 13 so although we travelled with them since birth we never experienced travel with more than one baby or one toddler at any one time.
It was easy for us and I never really considered the dynamics of travelling with lots of small children of my own.

We did travel with friends who also had children of similar ages but the ratio of 4 adults : 2 children or later 4 adults : 3/4/5 children seemed to ease the burden as we always traded 'date nights' with the other couple.

I'm reassuring myself that all will be well this summer when I'm off to Europe with three 14 year old girls plus my DH, my son and his girlfriend. Preparation is key... I'll keep the hop on, hop off bus in mind!

Reading this with great interest as we are taking our oldest granddaughter -- 6 years old -- to Paris this spring.

Sandy

Really enjoying this Myra, do keep going with it. In 10,12,15 years time you will re-read this and wonder how on earth you all did it - and survived! It will become something to treasure and be the subject of much discussion of shared yet different memories.

I loved the day we met and just sat in several parks watching your delightful children play.

Looking forward to more.

Sorry it has taken me a few days to respond, I'm recovering from the flu.

MaryAnne - thanks for the comment on my blog. It made my day.

Sassycat - I don't think DH and I had any idea how hard it was traveling with three young kids, until we were doing it. An extra adult would've made a huge difference. But - despite the hardships, it was a successful trip. Just this morning we were talking about Sacre Coeur and Parisian children on the car ride to school.

Sandpaw -- with preparation, patience (I need more of this) and a sense of humor, you'll have a great trip.

Julia - I owe you an email! Spending that day in Marais with you, talking while watching the kids play, was one of my favorite days. I'm so glad we met up.

Working on new post...
I truly appreciate your comments, and thanks for reading.
~Myra

Myra,

Great blog!
I'm sure the next trip with your children will be easier not only because they'll be older but more importantly you will have already instilled in them 'travel experience'.

Thanks Sassy cat. Believe it or not, we almost took to kids to Paris when they were 4,2,2. Ha! Thankfully reason took over before I booked those tickets.

Before my next post, here's an example of free entertainment in Paris that my kids loved.

Breaking Bubbles
http://tinyurl.com/4lfbv9t

Myra, you've inspired me... I'm now working on my TR to London and Paris - I know you know the highlights, but it is always a good record to remind me.

We need to encourage other friends that traveling with kids CAN be fun and they like to travel and it is worth.

that's my personal PSA for the day!

Yay Surfmom! Your TR will inspire other parents to travel with kids, because - amazingly - it is fun. We're already talking about where we'd all like to go next.

Your advice was a huge help; I'm glad you'll now share it (and pictures?) with the masses.

p.s. Baseball season is almost here. Ready for a rematch?

Finally! The 3rd installment of our very long, 3rd day in Paris.

After their stellar behavior touring the Louvre, we ended the day playing in a few different parks, met a man who fought in the American Legion during WW2, and tried to outrun a thunderstorm...

Paris parks and Thunderstorms
http://bit.ly/fb4UjD

I can't wait to start writing about what comes next. The Pompideu center gave my kids a lesson on a woman's anatomy that they'll never forgot. Hopefully, that will be done next week.

Thanks for sticking with me!
~Myra

Thanks for the latest installment! I had just read surfmom's TR which at the moment is just above yours and saw your comment to her. I was going to tell you to hurry up with day 3 and there it was--instant gratification! thanks!

Lovely to read this installment Myra.

Looking forward to the next one!

Loving your trip report!!!! Aren't Parisian playgrounds fantastic?!?!?! We took my older daughter to Paris when she was 2, and the first day we took her to Gallerie Lafayette and let her pick out a new toy (baby doll and umbrella stroller)-- so she was excited to play with her new toys every night. But after 7 days, she got really punk-- she even threw up, we took her to a doctor, and there was no discernible illness-- we have always wondered if it was jet lag/homesickness. But I agree, none of the travel websites talk about this-- which I am guessing is much more common than is talked about!!!

Sorry this has taken so long, but I do promise to finish. I've been derailed by a serious family illness (not the kids). And after many hours spent running back and forth to the hospital, dealing with worry, anxiety, stress - I'm beat. My creative juices have run dry.

Looking forward to the day that I can have my life back, and get back to reliving my Paris trip.

~M

I'm in the process of planning our first trip to Paris/London with 4 kids this summer. I'm enjoying your stories, very insightful and humorous. I love your travel blog and now my 15 yr. old daughter is enjoying it too. Look forward to more stories. Your pics are great.

Thanks Sparkle!

I was 15 yr old when I took my first international trip with my Mom to Scotland. That experience was a huge factor in my love of travel. What ages are your other kids?

Mebe, Sorry you've had a stressful period. Let us know when you write more. Hope things get better.

I thought I was open minded when it came to my children seeing nudity. But I'd never seen anything like the elles@centrepompidou exhibit in the Pompidou before. It was an eye-opening experience -- for everyone. Perhaps I'm not as open-minded as I thought.

"Its one thing for kids to see naked ladies beautified through the eyes of the Renaissance. It’s another to see naked ladies interpreted by Modern Art, which in this case, meant they were garishly bright, and spread-eagle..."

Navigating Nudity: Kids at the Pompidou Center

http://tinyurl.com/4qv43kk

I'm afraid of heights. It all started 16 years ago while standing on a cliff in Hawaii...

Facing Fear: Climbing the Arc de Triomphe

http://tinyurl.com/3sls7rg

I'm bookmarking this for when I have plenty of time to read it slowly and savor the photos.'

Going to Paris with DH in the fall, and your tips about kids in Paris basically helps with husbands also - they need exercise, feeding at the right time, scheduling -- ya know... (and sometimes he just wants to go home!)

This report is just fabulous, and thank you for all the time you have to put in to inform and amuse us fodorites.

Taconictraveler - thank you for the compliment. I love traveling, and I love writing down my memories (the good and bad!)

I agree - husbands are a lot like kids.

Thanks for reading
~Myra

To answer your question from March(sorry, I haven't been on in awhile) the ages of my kids are 2 girls, 15 & 7; and 2 boys, 12 & 9. I've been busy booking all aspects of our trip. We're staying in a hotel in London, as we won't be there as long as Paris. In Paris we found an apartment so we're excited about that. We booked our Eurostar tickets, so the planning is moving forward. Can't wait to leave, the big day is June 17th.

My favorite meal in Paris, wasn't what I expected.

Curry Couscous in Luxembourg Gardens

http://tinyurl.com/3bpar59

More English speaking people need to learn that "couscous" in French is the name of the stew and that the semolina is just a small detail.

mebe- I loved the latest post. It really shows how the little moments when we travel can have the greatest impact.

kerouac- As for the couscous, she refers to the full description of the dish "Sri Lankan couscous with a legume curry" in the post so what exactly are you taking issue with here?

Hello folks

I have two more sections finished, and thought I'd share them here.

The first is about our experience in Luxembourg Gardens. My daughter is still talking about the playground. Travel tip to parents: go here! There are many activities to keep kids busy (and if kids are busy, parents are happy!): renting toy boats, merry-go-rounds, puppet shows, extraordinary playground, and plenty of room for little legs to run. When we go back to Paris in the future, we're heading here first.

Luxembourgh Gardens
http://tinyurl.com/3asvhnm

The second link is our experience going up the Eiffel Tower. Honestly, I would have skipped this, but the kids insisted - no demanded! - we see Paris from the Eiffel Tower. A big bonus having kids - they force you to do things you wouldn't otherwise do.

But! Learn from my mistake -- buy your tickets in advance through their website http://www.tour-eiffel.com/ We didn't and wasted 90 minutes in line.

I also talk about our experience shopping in Rue Cler.

Up and Quickly Over the Eiffel Tower
http://tinyurl.com/42l979q

Thanks for reading
~M

It took me awhile (only a 18 months or so...) but I finally finished writing about my trip to Paris with three kids. I've been posting only on my blog, but thought I'd share the last post here.

It was our last night in Paris, and it hit me like a ton of bricks that I forgot to take the kids to see the Eiffel Tower twinkle at night. My four-year-olds reaction was priceless.

I hope our adventures inspire other parents to try traveling with their kids. It's never boring, and you will see the world from a different perspective.

Our Last Real Moment in Paris: The Eiffel Tower at Night

http://tinyurl.com/867ylno

As always, thanks for reading.
Myra

Dear Myra,

So fun to "see" you here on Fodor's again.

Loved your blog!

Hope all is well with the children and husband and you!

gruezi

Hi Gruezi! Nice to "see" you, too. I don't come to Fodor's often since I'm not planning a trip. But I do check into Fodor's Friends on FB every so often...

Husband and children are doing well. Kids are growing like voracious weeds, and still talk about Paris.

I'm pleased you like my blog - it's my version of a scrap book.

I wish you well.
Myra

OMG! This is such perfect timing. I recently posted for help with restaurants, parks, kids activities for a family trip to London and Paris end of May with grandsons age 18 months, 3.5 and 6, my daughter, son-in-law and their babysitter. You have inspired me and struck fear into my heart in equal measure. Many good posters offered much appreciated and excellent recommendations, but your amazing Paris reality experience is priceless. Thanks for a fabulous trip report! BTW, I have read your other reports and was delighted to see this one pop up. Goes to show, you just can't keep a determined, adventurous serial traveler down!

Thanks so much for finishing the tale and sharing your adventures with us. Loved your stories!

I already mentioned the apartment we stayed in a long time ago, but I'm going to post pictures I took, along with a recap of how fantastic it was: agency, location, and amenities -- hopefully by next week.

irishface - thank you! I was worried I'd never finish it, and I think I procrastinated the last few posts because I didn't want it to end.

travelchat - "You have inspired me and struck fear into my heart in equal measure." That made me laugh.

Sorry about the fear part, but I do like to be honest. And I don't like those TRs that gloss over the rough parts, because those are as important as the sweet moments. I think you'll be fine in Paris - you have more adults than kids, and a babysitter! I hope you have wonderful time - Paris is an ideal city to visit with children.

Mebe
Thank you for your reply and assurance that Paris is a good city for children. We will go forth with courage and enjoy the ups, prevailing over any downs with fortitude. I know there will be a treasure trove of priceless memories, once the tricky part of making them is done. . London and Paris, look out, 'cause here we come!